University of California-San Diego · BiologyChu Microbiology Lab
Hiutung Chu · La Jolla, California
Research Focus
Dr. Hiutung Chu's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the gut microbiota, particularly commensal bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis, adapt in response to inflammation caused by conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The research aims to uncover how these bacterial adaptations influence immune responses, which could lead to new therapies for IBD. By exploring the genetic and metabolic changes in these bacteria, the lab seeks to develop strategies for detecting and treating IBD in its early stages to prevent chronic disease progression.
Inflammatory bowel diseasegut microbiotaBacteroides fragilisbacterial adaptationsimmune modulationcolitismicrobial therapiesmetabolic changeshost-microbe interactionsinflammation
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the genetic and functional variation of Bacteroides fragilis in the IBD gut
AIM 02Examine the metabolic adaptations of commensal bacteria during experimental colitis
AIM 03Assess the effects of oxygen on anaerobic bacterial metabolism and immune modulation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsmetabolic modelinggenomicsimmunology techniquesPCRco-culture techniquesdata analysisbioinformaticsmicrobiome analysis
Output against the department
Publications68bottom 18% of dept.844th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.2ktop 50% of dept.517th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
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