Mindy Engevik's Lab

Our recent understanding of the gut microbiota has sparked interest in investigating microbes’ ability to colonize and modulate the gut environment. The intestinal mucus layer serves as the first point of contact between the gut microbiota and the host. In addition to providing a barrier for the epithelium, the mucus layer provides a niche for bacteria due to its abundance of attachment sites and potential as a nutrient source. Dr. Mindy Engevik’s lab investigates microbial-host crosstalk with an emphasis on microbe-mucus interactions.

Mindy's lab has 2 main focuses: (1) how commensal microbes beneficially modulate the mucus layer and host health; and (2) how pathogens colonize and subvert the mucus layer to cause infection.