The microbiota-gut-brain axis and microbiome modulation in pre-clinical models of psychiatric disorders
We explore how genes and the environment combine via experience-dependent plasticity in the healthy and diseased brain. Our research includes models of specific neurological and psychiatric disorders which involve cognitive and affective dysfunction, investigated at behavioural, cellular and molecular levels so as to identify pathogenic mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. Most recently, this has included studies of intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Aim
- Explore how genes and environment combine via experience-dependent plasticity in the health and diseased brain.
Our findings will inform the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in schizophrenia, uncovering new aspects of pathogenesis that could lead to novel therapeutic targets to improve the treatment of the cognitive, psychiatric and social symptoms. More broadly, there could also be implications for improving therapeutic approaches for other psychiatric disorders.
This project will use microbial, environmental and pharmacological modulation, cognitive and behavioural tasks, as well as cellular and molecular approaches, including genetics, genomics and bioinformatics tools.
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Research group
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