Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Biomedical EngineeringBacteroides and Gut Health Lab
Blanca Barquera · Troy, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Blanca Barquera's lab at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute explores the unique bacteria known as Bacteroides, which play a vital role in our gut health. The team investigates how these bacteria generate energy through complex respiratory processes and how this impacts both the bacteria's survival and our overall health. By understanding these mechanisms, the lab aims to contribute to the development of effective probiotics and strategies for restoring healthy gut microbiota.
Bacteroidesgut microbiotarespirationbacterial fitnessenergy generationprobioticsmicrobial metabolismhuman healthenzyme characterizationgut health
Research Aims
3AIM 01Study the NUO complex in Bacteroides to understand its role in energy generation and bacterial fitness.
AIM 02Investigate how certain Bacteroides species acquire and remodel menaquinone, a key respiratory component.
AIM 03Examine the NrfHA complex's function and regulation during anaerobic growth and its protective effects in the gut.
Skills the Lab Values
genetic engineeringbiochemistry techniquesmouse modelsmetabolic assayscell cultureprotein purificationmolecular cloningRT-qPCRbioinformaticsfluorescence microscopy
Output against the department
Publications102bottom 18% of dept.488th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.9kbottom 31% of dept.413th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.