Janelle C. Arthur, PhD: E. coli -produced secondary metabolites and inflammation-associated intestinal disease

The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and the Carolina Cancer Nanotechnology Training Program are pleased to welcome: Janelle C. Arthur, PhD Assistant Professor Microbiology & Immunology UNC School of Medicine.

For a virtual option, e-mail Amy Fry at amy_fry@unc.edu

Janelle Arthur is a microbiologist/immunologist who seeks to define mechanisms by which inflammation-associated alterations to the gut microbiota influence mammalian disease processes. Her laboratory investigates how the functional capabilities and molecular features of resident microbes impact mucosal colonization, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and inflammation-associated pathologies including fibrosis and tumorigenesis. Dr. Arthur’s postdoctoral work revealed a pro-carcinogenic role for inflammation-associated intestinal E. coli that produce a small molecule termed Colibactin. She is currently defining mechanisms controlling Colibactin production and pro-carcinogenic activity. Additional studies in her independent lab have revealed a novel role for the intestinal E. coli metallophore Yersiniabactin in promoting inflammation-associated fibrosis, a significant complication in many IBD patients. New research in collaboration with Juliane Nguyen’s lab (UNC School of Pharmacy) is evaluating the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer efficacy of engineered probiotic yeast designed for better gut retention and local secretion of drugs to mitigate systemic side effects. Dr. Arthur’s lab performs basic and translational research combining microbiology, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, and gnotobiotic mouse models to identify inflammatory, pro-carcinogenic, and pro-fibrotic resident bacteria and define mechanisms by which these bacteria promote disease. Ultimately this research will uncover novel microbial targets and enable us to manipulate the intestinal microbiota as a therapeutic target for many human digestive diseases.

Link to lab here