Amir Minerbi

Our current research focuses on the interactions between the gut microbiome and chronic pain in humans. In recent years, there is growing appreciation for the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease, and its role has been demonstrated in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, metabolic, psychiatric and neurologic diseases just to name a few. Recent studies in animal models hint that the composition and function of the gut microbiome may also be involved in the development of chronic pain.

We aim to explore the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of chronic pain in humans. Our research focuses on the following questions:

1. Mapping the association of gut microbiome composition and function with conditions of chronic pain in humans. To that end, we use advanced sequencing technologies to characterize the microbiome of patients, and compare it with that of healthy individuals.

2. Explore the mechanisms by which the function of the gut microbiome may influence nociception and pain modulation. Using liquid chromatography, we explore the micro-metabolites found in circulation, the majority of which originate from the gut microbiota.

3. Looking into the bidirectional association of pain pharmacotherapy and the gut microbiome.