Dr. John Rawls

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While I was visiting Duke University today, Dr. John Rawls, Director of the Duke Microbiome Center, took a few moments out of his very busy schedule to chat with me about his lab's work. They are doing important research studying how vertebrate intestinal microbiota interact with their hosts in the areas of fat metabolism and immunity. Interestingly, while they have used multiple animal model hosts for their work, Dr. Rawls explained a preference for the zebrafish, a common freshwater aquarium inhabitant. Among other advantages, he related lower expense and the ability to study them in their more natural habitat than what is possible with, for example, sterile mice.
Many thanks to Dr. Rawls for his time and encouragement!
​--Jimmy