Emily Balskus uses chemical logic to study the microbiome | Science News
Oct. 29, 2018
Using chemistry to peer at the microbial world, Emily Balskus is revealing how microbes influence human health.
Source: Emily Balskus uses chemical logic to study the microbiome | Science News
Breast Milk, Formula Nurture Similarities, Differences in Gut Microbes
Oct. 29, 2018
Baby formula is designed to mimic human breast milk as closely as possible. A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis finds that formula and breast milk nurture the growth of intestinal bacteria capable of producing differing metabolites. The health implications of these differences are unknown.
Source: Breast Milk, Formula Nurture Similarities, Differences in Gut Microbes
‘Largest’ microbiome study weighs in on our gut health
Oct. 29, 2018
The first results of the largest study to have ever investigated the human microbiome are in. They have important implications for our dietary practices, resistance to antibiotics, and our mental health.
Source: ‘Largest’ microbiome study weighs in on our gut health
Meet the Team
Oct. 29, 2018
Callie Weber
Callie is a biomedical engineering major with a neuroscience minor from Hailey, Idaho. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to go to graduate school to earn a PhD in biomedical engineering.
Contact: callie.m.weber@vanderbilt.edu
Lauren Parola
Lauren is a biomedical engineering major with a minor in engineering management from Arlington, Rhode Island. After graduating in May 2019, she plans to pursue a career in biomedical related industries.
Contact: lauren.r.parola@vanderbilt.edu
Melia Simpkins
Melia is a biomedical engineering major with a minor in scientific computing from Kailua, Hawai’i. She plans to pursue industry jobs related to biomedical engineering and data analysis.
Contact: melia.simpkins@vanderbilt.edu
Emma Sterling
Emma is a biomedical engineering major with a minor in Medicine, Health, and Society from St. Louis, Missouri. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to attend medical school.
Contact: emma.k.sterling@vanderbilt.edu
Kelly Swanson
Kelly is a biomedical engineering major with an engineering management minor from Palo Alto, California. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to enter into the biomedical industry field.
Contact: kelly.e.swanson@vanderbilt.edu
BME Idea Proposal
Oct. 24, 2018
Executive Summary
In the current research market, there are no devices with the ability to co-culture microbes while keeping each strain distinct and allowing for chemical or nutrient interactions. There is an urgent need for this device to be able to better mimic the in vivo environment in tissues such as the stomach. This device would allow for the analysis of each bacteria individually while also learning how they interact.
We plan to create a co-culturing device that has 3-4 chambers separated by permeable membranes. This will allow the different bacteria strains to interact through the membranes, but not cross the barrier. The membranes will allow for the exchange of chemical signals to mimic how bacteria interact in vivo.