GASKINS, H. Rex

Department of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Pathobiology
Ph.D. (1989) University of Georgia

    Research Topics

    Research Interests

Our research concerns host-intestinal microbiota interactions as they pertain to epithelial development, inflammatory disorders and colorectal cancer. Recent studies using a range of in vivo and in vitro approaches have revealed critical questions that are the focus of current efforts. These include: 1) defining the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying host mucogenic responses to external stimuli and determining the extent to which goblet cells participate in innate defense responses and serve as the guardians of redox homeostasis in the intestinal mucosa; 2) studies of bacterial mucolysis including efforts to define the molecular basis of mucolysis using Clostridium perfringens and its sequenced genome as a model mucolytic bacterium, and determining if nutritional and infectious conditions that promote host mucogenesis likewise select for commensal mucolytic bacteria and whether this compromises barrier function; and 3) defining the role of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) in the initiation or progression of chronic human intestinal disorders. Sulfate reducing bacteria are members of the normal intestinal microbiota and have a major impact on terminal fermentative processes that occur in the mammalian colon. The metabolic pathways used by SRB culminate in the production of the toxic gas hydrogen sulfide. Using novel reagents and approaches for studying both SRBs and host epithelial cell responses to sulfide, we have demonstrated that host sulfomucins are a likely key source of sulfate for dissimilatory sulfate respiration by SRBs and that sulfide is genotoxic when DNA repair is inhibited. Accordingly, we are exploring the working model that multifactorial interactions between polymorphic genes (alleles) that influence SRB colonization and those that influence epithelial responses to the environmental agent sulfide may contribute to IBD-associated or sporadic colorectal cancer.

    Key Words   Recombinant DNA, Introduction of DNA into Animal Cells, Gene Expression Systems, Genome Organization, Cellular Immunology, Lymphokines/Growth Factors, Disease Models, Animal Cell and/or Tissue Culture, Host/Parasite Interactions, Image Analysis, Transgenic Animals, Membrane Structure and Function, Protein Processing and Secretion

    Current Research Funding NIH, USDA, Private industry

CBC Members

Gaskin Lab