Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
Our center members ranked among the world's most influential researchers
The annual Highly Cited Researchers list identified five center members whose work has been cited most often in papers published by other researchers in their fields over the past 11 years. Congratulations to Drs. Elaine Hsiao, Yu Huang, Aldons Lusis, Aydogan Ozcan, and Beate Ritz.
Seminar series
Join us for this monthly seminar series where invited guest speakers, Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center faculty and UCLA trainees present their latest research findings and discuss evolving areas of interest in the many ways the microbiome interacts with human health.
Researchers shine at the 2nd Annual Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center Symposium
On April 24, the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center hosted it’s second annual symposium. In the rapidly developing field of microbiome and brain-gut microbiome research, it is critically important for clinicians and researchers to share information and build relationships in order to facilitate further advances. The success of this year’s symposium reflects its reach; 230 physicians, scientists, residents and fellows turned out for the event. The event featured seven researcher lectures and 31 poster presentations.
Latest news
Babies’ gut bacteria may influence future emotional health
A child’s early gut microbiome may influence their risk of developing depression, anxiety or other internalizing symptoms in middle childhood, according to a new UCLA Health study led by Dr. Bridget Callaghan. The effect appears to be related to the way bacteria are linked to communication across emotion-related brain networks.
Sped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome
UCLA-led research team finds a genetic mechanism inserts mutations into key DNA hotspots that enable bacteria to adapt to new environments.
How stress and social struggles fuel America’s obesity crisis
A new scientific review, led by Dr. Arpana Church, reveals how the brain-gut microbiome acts as a bridge between a person’s environmental influences and their risk of obesity through the production of various signaling molecules including appetite-stimulating hormones, inflammatory markers and neuroactive metabolites. These chemical changes, in turn, affect what a person decides to eat, how often they eat, the quantity of food they eat, what types of food they crave, metabolic function and exercise habits.
Designer microbe shows promise for reducing mercury absorption from seafood
“We envision the possibility that people could take a probiotic to offset the risk of consuming too much methylmercury, especially when pregnant,” said UCLA associate professor and director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center Elaine Hsiao, PhD, who is the senior author of a paper describing the research in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.
Kids with autism show altered gut microbiome-brain interactions
A collaborative study by scientists from UCLA and USC may have unlocked new information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the gut microbiome. Changes in the relative amounts of such metabolites may interfere with the signaling between the gut and brain, influencing emotions and associated behaviors. Emeran A. Mayer, MD, contributed to the study along with co-senior author Jennifer S. Labus, PhD.
$20.6M NIH grant establishes School of Dentistry-led Human Virome Characterization Center
This grant leverages UCLA leadership and the collective expertise of interdisciplinary scientists nationwide to advance understanding of the virome's role in human health and disease across the oral–gut–brain axis. Dr. Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila – UCLA School of Dentistry Associate Dean of Research and holder of the Felix and Mildred Yip Endowed Chair – will serve as contact primary investigator (PI) for the largest NIH grant awarded to the School of Dentistry in its 60-year history.