The Center for Mucosal & Microbiome Biology at UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio recently introduced its newest research center, the Center for Mucosal & Microbiome Biology, located within the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.

Mansour M. Zadeh, PhD

Led by Mansour M. Zadeh, PhD, distinguished professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, the center will function as a collaborative entity for researchers from across the institution, the region and South Texas.

On Feb. 17, an inaugural meeting was held with more than 100 faculty, staff, students and trainees attending, both virtually and in person. At the meeting, the institution’s executive leadership provided an overview of the center’s mission and vision on its potential for enhanced research opportunities through collaboration, interaction and synergy.

“The mission of the Center for Mucosal & Microbiome Biology is to build a microbiome research platform at UT Health San Antonio that supports the advancement of mucosal and microbiome research and education,” Dr. Zadeh said. “This center aims to do its part to help UT Health San Antonio lead the charge into investigating this crucial and highly attractive field of research, where we will bolster collaboration between a multidisciplinary team of investigators from across the institution, create research infrastructure support, enhance trainee development and assist in the recruitment of new faculty with an outstanding track record of research in these fields and the associated metabolomics.”

Currently collaborating with a variety of research teams from the institution’s Long School of Medicine, School of Dentistry and School of Nursing, the newly established center has the capability to support other centers and researchers across UT Health San Antonio, from the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, to the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies and others.

Robert Hromas, MD, FACP

“We are stronger together. None of us are as smart as all of us,” remarked Robert Hromas, MD, FACP, dean of the Long School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs, at the inaugural meeting. “This center is at the forefront of multiple disciplines, from oncology to endocrinology to neurology to psychiatry. The future for research in this area is extremely bright.”

Dr. Zadeh said the field of microbiome and mucosal immune biology touches on every area of medical research and that with the brilliant minds, seasoned investigators and rising stars within their respective fields at UT Health San Antonio acting together, the institution is at the cusp of enhancing its research reputation regionally and nationwide.

“The ultimate goal of any research center is not only to make new discoveries,” Dr. Zadeh said, “but also to work with clinical collaborators to translate those discoveries into innovative diagnostics and therapeutics that can save lives and improve health outcomes.”

To learn more or become a member of the Center for Mucosal & Microbiome Biology at UT Health San Antonio, click here.



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