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Washington University in St. Louis News & Information > Faculty Experts at Washington University in St. Louis >
The Dr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor and Head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Professor of Medicine
Expertise: molecular biology, pharmacology, gut biology, microbes, bacteria, intestines, gastrointestinal development, gut microorganisms, bacterial genome sequencing, comparative microbial genomics, microbial ecology, gastrointestinal diseases, gut stem cells, mouse models
Bio:
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| Gordon |
Gordon is internationally known for his research on gastrointestinal development and how gut bacteria affect normal intestinal function and predisposition to health and to certain diseases.
Education:
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M.D. at University of Chicago
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B.A. in Biology at Oberlin College
| News Stories & Tip Sheets: |
Showing Stories 1 through 5 of 16.
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Differences in gut bacteria
'Obese bacteria' harvest calories better, may cause weight gain
Dec. 28,
2006 --
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| Gordon |
The trillions of bacteria living within the human digestive tract have a great effect on an individual's weight. The genetic makeup of that bacteria can determine how well a person breaks down food in the gut. Listen to WUSM scientist Jeffrey Gordon, a leading researcher on gut bacteria and obesity, as he explains in an NPR segment how different types of bacteria can affect a person's weight.
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Obese or lean
Relative abundance of common microbes living in the gut may contribute to obesity
Dec. 20,
2006 -- A link between obesity and the microbial communities living in our guts is suggested by new research at the School of Medicine. The findings indicate that our gut microbes are biomarkers, mediators and potential therapeutic targets in the war against the worldwide obesity epidemic.
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Exploiting tumor vulnerabilities
Unusual three-drug combo inhibits growth of aggressive tumors
Sept. 7,
2006 --
An experimental anti-cancer regimen combined a diuretic, a Parkinson's disease medication and a drug ordinarily used to reverse the effect of sedatives. In research conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the unusual mixture inhibited the growth of aggressive prostate tumors in laboratory mice.
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Bacteria can make you gain weight
Gut microbes' partnership helps body extract energy from food, store it as fat
June 12,
2006 -- Researchers have found that two common organisms collude and collaborate to increase the amount of calories harvested from a class of carbohydrates found in food sweeteners. In the study, conducted in previously germ-free mice, colonization with two prominent human gut microbes led to fatter mice. Scientists at the School of Medicine called the results an illustration of how understanding the menagerie of microorganisms that live in our guts can provide new insights into health.
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Huge numbers of tiny 'bugs'
World within helps keep people functioning properly
June 7,
2006 -- Humans are more than human, according to a recent study by WUSM researcher Jeffrey Gordon. The trillions of microbes living in the human digestive system not only outnumber actual human cells 10-to-1, but they are also essential to good health.
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Showing Stories 1 through 5 of 16.
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Bacteria Thrive in Inner Elbow; No Harm Done
The New York Times
and 2 others
May 23,
2008 -- WUSTL researchers Ruth E. Lay and Jeffrey I. Gordon, along with colleagues, comment on different kinds of bacteria that do not harm the human body, but in fact help it.
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Nurturing Our Microbes
Science News Online
March 3,
2008 -- Cover story on the impact gut bacteria have on our health includes the research of WUSTL microbiologist Jeffrey Gordon.
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Blame fat on the bacteria -- again
The Los Angeles Times
and 5 others
Jan. 8,
2007 -- Bacteria in the intestines can modify the body's chemistry to alter the amount of food that becomes stored as fat, according to a finding in mice reported this week that could help in controlling obesity. WUSTL scientist Jeffrey Gordon and his colleagues reported the findings in the current Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
It is unlikely that any manipulation of bacterial levels or composition could produce weight loss, experts said, but drugs that block this activity might.
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Additional Background: Gordon is known for his research on gastrointestinal development and how bacteria that normally reside inside the human body affect intestinal function. By using germ-free mice colonized with normal gut microbes and tools developed during the current revolution in genomics, Gordon has begun to illuminate the complex interaction between microbes, the lining of the intestine and the immune system. His group also studies the molecular features of gut stem cells, which fuel the perpetual renewal of the interior lining of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, his group is characterizing the enzyme N-myristoyltransferase (Nmt). Nmt is critical for the function of many proteins involved in cell signaling and growth and is the target for development of new drugs to kill fungal pathogens that infect humans whose immune systems are compromised.
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