Genomics of Host-Microbiome Interactions | Ran Blekhman, PhD (Univ of Chicago)

Dr. Ran Blekhman is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago. The Blekhman Lab studies host-microbiome interactions, focusing on host genetic control of the microbiome. They use multi-omics data and employ statistical, machine learning, and population genetic analytical approaches, with the goal of understanding how host genetic variation impacts commensal microbial communities, how the microbiome regulates host genes, and how host-microbiome crosstalk affects human health. In this talk, Dr. Blekhman describes key recent studies from the lab, including efforts to quantify the heritability of the microbiome using large-scale longitudinal data, and characterize host gene-microbe interactions in multi-omic data using machine learning and functional genomics techniques.

The One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State optimizes, accelerates, and disseminates long-lasting applications and knowledge on the microbiome with an integrative and transformative One Health approach spanning human health, agricultural advances, environmental outcomes, and bioinformatic innovation. The Center's Seminar Series solicits accomplished researchers and leaders to speak, including from right here in our backyard to research institutions worldwide. Please connect with the One Health Microbiome Center to nominate speakers, make donations to endow Center activities, and ask questions. Follow us on X (formally twitter) @PSUmBiome or visit our website to contact us and join the mailing list (microbiome.psu.edu).