Aayushi Uberoi, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis (WU)

The skin serves as the primary guardian for all vertebrates, essential for safeguarding against dehydration, inflammation, environmental hazards, and infections. Its robust barrier, while critical, still holds mysteries regarding the precise role of the skin microbiome in regulating this defense mechanism. Recent years have seen significant strides in unraveling the composition and complexities of the skin microbiome, shifting focus from mere identification to understanding their functional roles. Our laboratory’s core hypothesis posits that manipulating microbial interactions with the host can modulate epithelial responses. We are intrigued by questions such as: How do microbes influence skin metabolism? Can we engineer probiotic synthetic microbial communities from commensal skin microbes to enhance skin barrier restoration? Understanding collective impact of the skin and its microbiome, constantly exposed to the external exposome— ultraviolet radiation, air pollutants, and allergens—on host-microbial metabolome and disease progression is crucial. Addressing these questions will deepen our understanding of host-microbiota interactions.