The gut microbiome: Exploring microbial functions based on metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing data
Various diseases are associated with an imbalance of our gut microbial communities. State-of-the-art sequencing approaches allow us to sequence the entire genomic content of microbial samples as well as their gene transcripts resulting in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data. Sequencing microbial communities results in complex pools of sequences that must be computationally analyzed to characterize which microbes are present and to investigate what these microbes are doing based on the genes they encode. In this project we will use advanced computational approaches using sequencing datasets from large human cohorts focused on health and inflammatory bowel disease. These analyses will provide new insight into complex host-microbial interactions.

I am interested in applying data science to other disciplines and this microbiome project allows me to analyze biological data that have direct translational applications.