Exploring the Hidden World of Microbes and Gut Health
Our laboratory studies how host–microbe interactions shape gastrointestinal, liver, and metabolic health.
EXPLORING HOST–MICROBE CONNECTIONS
Understanding How Microbial Communities Shape Health and Disease
The human and animal body is home to trillions of microorganisms that collectively represent a substantial biological biomass and play important roles in digestion, metabolism, immune function, and tissue health. These microbial communities live in close contact with host tissues, and changes in their composition or function can influence the development and progression of disease.
The Crakes Lab studies how microbes and their products interact with host cells and tissues to shape gastrointestinal, liver, and metabolic health. We combine microbiology and molecular profiling with comparative pathology and animal models to connect microbial changes with tissue-specific disease and uncover mechanisms that drive variation in disease development, progression, individualized response to therapy.
OUR RESEARCH AREAS
Explore the Science
We investigate how microbial communities, host tissues, and environmental factors interact to shape disease, metabolism, and response to therapy.
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![A digital illustration of bacteria with purple and pink colors.]()
Microbiome & Metabolic Health
We study how microbial communities and their products influence intestinal, liver, pancreatic, and systemic function.
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![A digital illustration showing a close-up view of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and various microscopic particles in a vibrant, colorful scene.]()
Diet, Microbiome & Cancer
We investigate how dietary exposures and gut microbes affect tumor growth, anti tumor immunity, and response to immunotherapy.
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![Microscopic view of purple-stained cells.]()
Comparative Gastrointestinal Disease
Our work explores mechanisms and biomarkers of GI disease across animal species, including evaluation of minimally invasive diagnostic tools.
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![Microscope connected to a computer monitor displaying a microscopic view of purple and pink cells.]()
Experimental Pathology and Innovation
We develop tissue-preservation tools to improve disease phenotyping and diagnostic assessment.
Collaborate with us
We welcome students, trainees, researchers, and collaborators interested in exploring host–microbe interactions and advancing comparative biomedical research.