Research Summary
Matthew Redinbo’s laboratory is focused on structure-function-inhibition studies in vitro and in utilizing subsequent animal and ex vivo studies, largely toward the gut microbiota. He employs structural and chemical biology methods, along with biochemistry, cell-based assays and in vivo model systems to understand how the gut microbiota impacts mammalian health. The work starts at the in vitro level, understanding at the mechanistic level how individual gut microbial enzymes process medically-relevant substrates, including many drugs. Such approaches are also applied to human nuclear receptors, pulmonary defense proteins, and medically-relevant kinases. The lab then develops potent inhibitors to these enzymes, and tests validated compounds in mouse and rat model systems to examine a range of phenotypes as well as gut microbial next-generation sequencing and metabolomics.
Relevance of Research to CGIBD Mission: Research in the Redinbo lab seeks to understand at the mechanistic level how gut microbiota impacts mammalian health. The participation of a chemist (and former chair of the Department of Chemistry) in the activities of the CGIBD is an excellent example of how Center expertise in microbial research can attract experts from other fields.
CGIBD Focus Area(s): Microbiome
Pilot and Feasibility Award 2008
Collaborators: Bhatt, Bultman, Magness
