Home Department: Engineering
Mentor: Jonas Cremer (Biology)

“Quantifying the Capacity for Microbial Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Production via Protein Digestion in the Human Gut”

August’s project focuses on understanding how the compound hydrogen sulfide (H2S), produced by microbes in our gut, can lead to gastrointestinal inflammation and diseases like colorectal cancer. To achieve this, the Cremer lab uses a combination of biological experiments, bioinformatics, and mathematical modeling. They have developed a computer-based prediction tool to identify which gut microbes are capable of producing H2S. The predictions will be tested in the laboratory using specialized assays to measure H2S’s rate of production. The experimental findings will be used to refine the predictive power of their tool, developing a comprehensive understanding of how H2S is produced in the gut and its potential role in inflammatory diseases. The results can provide valuable insights for future research and potentially lead to new strategies for disease prevention and treatment.