Research Spotlight - Singh Lab

Vishal Singh is the principal investigator of the Singh Lab where he and his team researches dietary interventions to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. The lab also working to develop microbiome informed dietary fiber interventions to improve chronic inflammatory disorders.

Research Focus

The gut microbiome and dietary choices jointly regulate the immune system and the onset of chronic inflammatory diseases. Microbes in the gut play a crucial role in maintaining tissue health, but imbalances, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various chronic conditions. While the link between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal inflammation is not fully understood, dietary fibers can help correct dysbiosis by altering microbial composition and activity. 

The Singh Lab aims to uncover how microbial fermentation products impact chronic inflammatory disorders, using mouse models to explore the effects of fortified fermentable fibers in processed foods. The ultimate goal is to develop personalized dietary interventions informed by the microbiome to address conditions like MAFLD and IBD.

Recent Studies

Recent studies address the question of why patients with IBD report poor tolerance to certain types of dietary fibers, finding that fermentable dietary fibers such as inulin increase colonic inflammation and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis.

Impact

The research from Singh Lab sheds light on how different dietary fibers impact gut and liver health, allowing people to use these findings to make informed dietary choices. One such impact that the lab is pursuing is the long-term effects of refined fibers commonly found in processed foods. Their findings suggest that refined fibers may not offer the same benefits as natural fibers found in whole foods and may even increase the risk of certain health conditions. 

These studies contribute to the understanding of how various fibers interact with the gut microbiome and how specific dietary fibers influence gut bacteria. This knowledge will help us develop dietary fiber recommendations promoting benefits like strengthening the gut lining, aiding digestion, potentially reducing inflammation, and even supporting the treatment of chronic digestive conditions. 

Affiliations

The Singh Lab often collaborates with The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences’ One Health Microbiome Center on various projects.