current RESEARCH
Environmental influence of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects tens of thousands of Canadians, but the exact cause is unknown. Strong evidence suggests that the development of MS is influenced by environmental factors, including viral infection, diet, and the species residing in our gut. Our lab is exploring how these factors combine to result in MS, with the ultimate goal of informing MS prevention and therapy.
Immune control of intestinal viral infection
Alongside the bacterial microbiome, our intestines are colonised by countless viruses. Despite this, the consequences of these viruses interacting with the host’s epithelium and immune cells, as well as the other species in the gut, are unknown. We are investigating how our immune system responds to these viruses, as well as how genetic and pharmaceutical perturbations affect these responses.