Lab Receives $2.5M NIH Grant for Host-Microbiome Research
The National Institutes of Health has awarded our lab a five-year, $2.5 million R01 grant to investigate how host genetics shapes microbiome composition and function. This award will support multiple graduate students and a postdoc position.
Project Overview
The grant, titled “Host Genetic Control of Microbiome Assembly and Function,” will investigate:
- Aim 1: Identify host genetic variants affecting microbiome composition using GWAS
- Aim 2: Determine mechanisms through which host genes influence microbes
- Aim 3: Test evolutionary dynamics of host-microbiome interactions
Novel Approaches
Our project combines several innovative approaches: - Gnotobiotic stickleback system for controlled experiments - Single-cell sequencing to measure cell-type-specific responses - CRISPR validation of candidate genes - Experimental evolution with defined microbial communities
Collaborative Team
The project involves collaborations with: - Brendan Bohannan (UO) - Microbial ecology expertise - Karen Guillemin (UO) - Host-microbe interactions - Meta Center - Systems biology of microbiomes
Training Opportunities
This grant will provide: - Support for 2-3 graduate students - One postdoctoral position - Summer undergraduate research positions - Training in microbiome methods and bioinformatics
Broader Impacts
Understanding how host genetics shapes microbiomes has implications for: - Precision medicine approaches - Agricultural applications - Conservation biology - Evolutionary theory
Open Positions
We’re recruiting for this project! We seek motivated individuals with interests in: - Microbial ecology - Population genetics - Bioinformatics - Experimental evolution
View position details | Contact Dr. Cresko
“This award recognizes our lab’s unique position to address fundamental questions in host-microbiome biology,” says Bill Cresko. “The natural variation in stickleback provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand these complex interactions.”
We thank NIH/NIGMS for this support and look forward to advancing the field of host-microbiome interactions!