PhD Thesis Defense: Jack Arnold

The human microbiome is intrinsically linked to human health and the progression of various disease

states. Until recently, we have been limited by molecular and computational tools to probe many of

the bacteria that reside in our intestinal tracts. Advancements in ‘Omics approaches and anaerobic

culture techniques have significantly de-risked harnessing native microbiota members for synthetic

biology implementations. A dearth of molecular tools limits our understanding of how these many of

these microbes affect host-facing mechanisms. Here we lay the foundation for advanced manipulation

and genetic manipulation one such family of bacteria, Lachnospiraceae. Known for their role in

maintaining human health through the production of unique metabolites including short-chain fatty

acids (SCFAs), we propose a molecular toolkit to reveal their role in host physiology and to harness

Lachnospiraceae biology to secrete recombinant protein cargoes. We then apply this toolkit to

program Lachnospiraceae species to produce biologically relevant protein targets important for

treating and maintaining health for in vivo applications.

https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/93423251061?pwd=oaEPRlLbn1BcJfDg5XxFqb3Pr4vbkF.1

(Passcode: 391028)