Manuel Kleiner, PhD

Research Summary

Manuel Kleiner is an Assistant Professor in Microbiomes and Complex Microbial Communities at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on metabolism, physiology and functional interactions in host-microbe systems. His lab is at the forefront of developing novel tools and approaches to study host-microbe interactions. In particular, Dr. Kleiner and his team develop metaproteomic approaches which use high-end mass spectrometry to identify and quantify tens of thousands of host and microbial proteins in microbiota samples. He applies these tools to establish links between specific dietary components and the microbial metabolizers in the intestinal tract that consume them, as well as to study the fate of dietary protein from different sources in the intestinal tract and its impact on the intestinal microbiota. This research aims to provide clear data on dietary components and associated microbiota mediated mechanisms affecting human health and well being to inform modulation of diet in therapeutic interventions for intestinal disorders and diseases.

Relevance of Research to CGIBD Mission:  Dr. Kleiner’s research addresses critical questions in the realm of diet-microbiota interactions that impact diseases such as IBD and colon cancer, as well as homeostasis, both of which are central themes of the CGIBD mission.

CGIBD Focus Area(s):  Clinical/Translational Research

Collaborators:   Theriot, David, Tonkonogy