Dr. Robert Andrew Quinn's lab at Michigan State University studies how the gut microbiome interacts with bile acids, which are crucial for digestion and gut health. They focus on a group of bile acids modified by gut bacteria, called microbially conjugated bile acids (MCBAs), and investigate how these compounds can influence inflammation and health outcomes in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. Through their research, they aim to understand the potential of MCBAs as new therapeutic agents for gut-related conditions.

Dr. Timothy R. Zacharewski's lab focuses on understanding how environmental contaminants, especially a compound called TCDD, contribute to liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lab investigates how TCDD affects liver metabolism and causes liver damage, aiming to identify potential treatments, such as Vitamin B12 supplementation, to protect the liver from these damaging effects. This research is important because NAFLD is a growing health issue in the United States, and better understanding could lead to better treatments.

Dr. Jennifer B Jacob's lab focuses on discovering and targeting genes involved in cancer progression, specifically using mouse models that mimic human cancers. They investigate regulatory genes and their potential as targets for cancer therapies, studying immune responses and intervention strategies to improve treatment outcomes. Through advanced genetic analysis and bioinformatics, the lab aims to enhance our understanding of tumor immunity and develop new cancer treatment approaches.