Zachary Waldrip, Ph.D.

Our laboratory is interested in developing modified probiotic organisms to address enteric diseases. Enteric diseases, or diseases of the gut, caused by toxic microorganisms such as E. coli and C. difficile, are a worldwide issue. Diseases caused by these microbes can be particularly damaging or lethal to the pediatric and elderly populations. We are studying how probiotic organisms, the helpful microbes of the gut, can be safely altered to express proteins such as antibodies capable of absorbing or neutralizing toxic microorganisms or the toxins they release.

We believe these probiotics can be a cheap and shelf-stable means of addressing enteric diseases for which there are currently no good remedies. Our laboratory utilizes several techniques, such as cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular cloning, and biochemical and proteomic assays.

Phone: 501-364-3335