MissKaoutar Abaakil

I am currently a PhD candidate in Dr Jia Li’s lab, fascinated by the intricate world of the microbiota and its profound impact on health and disease. Having completed my MRes in Biomedical Research in the Microbiome in Health and Disease stream, I have developed a keen interest in understanding the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota in disease development. During my PhD studies, I am dedicated to expanding my expertise in host-microbiota modelling, metabolomics and bioinformatics.

My PhD research is centred on investigating the intricate interplay between dietary components and microbial/host metabolites, as well as their impact on gut health and immunity. Using models of intestinal inflammation induced by opportunistic pathogens and colorectal cancer, my aim is to elucidate links between diet and host-microbiota metabolic interactions in the onset and development of inflammation and gastrointestinal disease.

As a foundation, my research relies on the application of 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for metabolic profiling of biofluids, serving as an initial step to explore the functional responses of the host and microbiota to dietary interventions and disease initiation. Additionally, I aim to explore changes to gut bacterial composition, histological changes to gut tissue and transcriptional changes in proteins associated with gut barrier function to integrate my research findings in a multi-disciplinary approach.

Furthermore, I am also involved in research investigating the impact of antibiotics on gut bacterial composition and metabolic function. Specifically, I am interested in the dynamics of the temporospatial changes that ensue following antibiotic exposure along the gastrointestinal tract.