Thursday, October 1, 2015
LU professor kicks off “Biomedical Frontiers” series with gut-wrenching research
Thu, 01 Oct 2015Shelley Andrews :: LUCOM Marketing and PR
When the average person hears the term “E. coli,” their reaction is typically negative. Some strains of the bacterium are linked to illness and in worst cases, death. However, research by Andrew Fabich, Ph.D., Liberty University Associate Professor of Microbiology, offers a different focus that includes the role of “good” E. coli in our intestines.
On September 17, Fabich kicked off the “Biomedical Frontiers Seminar Series” (BFSS) sponsored by the Center for Research at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM).
In his presentation “Invading the Gastrointestinal Microbiome Leads to Inflammation”, Dr. Fabich started off calling the topic his “research pet” that is the culmination of years of work. “We have to understand first how good E. coli behave before understanding how bad E. coli behave,” said Dr. Fabich.
His research centers on Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked EHEC to the Jack in the Box outbreak in 1993. Every year, statistics show the strain sickens more than 70,000 people and kills more than 60.
“Infections caused by this bacterial pathogen make people very sick and can be fatal, especially in cases involving young children and the elderly. However, a complete understanding of how this particular germ causes such a severe disease is currently lacking,” said Joseph W. Brewer, Ph.D., LUCOM Associate Dean for Research.
Dr. Fabich is trying to answer what he believes is a big question in the research of food borne illnesses in the 21st Century. “We don’t understand the essence of how E. coli colonizes in the intestine,” said Dr. Fabich.
As Dr. Brewer explains, most microbes in the human body do not cause disease. “Rather, these microbes live in harmony with the body and, in many cases, contribute to important bodily processes. This is particularly evident in the gastrointestinal tract,” said Dr. Brewer.
The theme of the first BFSS presentation was to not only focus solely on the bad strain but at the good bacteria, as well, and the role it plays.
“Dr. Fabich’s research seeks to understand the potential relationship between normal gut bacteria, the disease-causing EHEC strain of E. coli bacteria, and the severe infection caused by the EHEC strain,” concluded Dr. Brewer.
The 2015-2016 “Biomedical Frontiers Seminar Series” continues with lectures scheduled for October 15, November 19, January 21, February 18, March 17 and April 21