[bioundgrd] FW: MIT Microbiome Club Seminar Series - 1/21 @ 1 PM in 56-614

[Joshua Stone]

From: Chelsea Catania <cataniac at mit.edu>
Subject: MIT Microbiome Club Seminar Series - 1/21 @ 1 PM in 56-614

MIT Microbiome Club
Seminar Series
[cid:image001.jpg at 01D5CC5B.792F2240]
Vayu Maini Rekdal
Discovery of enzymes and organisms that metabolize drugs, neurotransmitters, and dietary components in the human gut microbiota
Tuesday, January 21st at 1 pm in MIT 56-614
RSVP<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mit-microbiome-club-seminar-vayu-maini-rekdal-tickets-88523438989>
Possessing 150-fold more genes than the human genome, the trillions of organisms that make up the human gut microbiota harbor metabolic capabilities that expand the range of chemistry taking place in the body. To decipher the biological roles of gut microbial metabolism, it is critical that we uncover the enzymes responsible for prominent transformations. However, the vast majority of gut microbial metabolic reactions have not yet been linked to specific enzymes. Here, we will present our work on the discovery and characterization of gut microbial organisms and enzymes that metabolize L-dopa, the main drug treatment for Parkinson’s disease. We will also present recent work on the discovery of a new class of widely distributed enzymes that enable gut microorganisms to metabolize catecholamine neurotransmitters and diet-derived compounds ingested by the host. This work showcases the importance of enzyme discovery for hypothesis-driven microbiome research and highlights new strategies to manipulate and predict widespread and clinically relevant chemical transformations in the human gut.
Bio: Vayu Maini Rekdal is a Scientist, Chef, Educator, and a 5th-year PhD candidate working in Emily Balskus lab in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard. In the lab, Vayu focuses on the identification and characterization of microbes and enzymes that metabolize neurotransmitters, pharmaceutical drugs, and dietary compounds in the human gut microbiota. Outside the lab, Vayu has worked in restaurants and gastronomic research centers around the world to explore the intersection of science and cooking through research and education. Among other endeavors, he is the founder of the Young Chefs Program (http://youngchefsprogram.org<http://youngchefsprogram.org/>), an organization using cooking to communicate science to youth. His research has been featured in New York Times among other places. After his PhD, he plans to combine his expertise in microbiology and chemistry background in gastronomy and food with to create novel foods for enhanced flavor, sustainability, and human health.
Website: http://vayumainirekdal.com

______________________________
The MIT Microbiome Club, part of the Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, brings together inquisitive MIT undergrads, grad researchers, postdocs, faculty, and clinicians in the emerging field of microbiome studies and microbiome-based medicine. Learn more on our Facebook page. <https://www.facebook.com/MITmicrobiomeclub/> Or follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/MITubiomeclub>.

Chelsea Catania, Ph.D.
MIT Microbiome Club Publicity Chair
Postdoctoral Associate
Laboratory for Energy and Microsystems Innovation
Department of Mechanical Engineering
@MITubiomeclub<https://twitter.com/MITubiomeclub>

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