Lawrence David

Associate Professor

Year

2024
Program

Schmidt Science Polymaths
Institution

Duke University
Field of Study

Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Location

Durham, USA

Dr. Lawrence David is an Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology at Duke University, where he also serves as an Associate Director for the Duke Microbiome Center. Dr. David’s work spans biomedical engineering, computer science, microbiology, ecology, evolution, and nutrition. He and his team ask the question: “How can ecological principles be used to reshape human gut microbial communities?” This has led them to engineer diets that take advantage of the competition between bacteria, as well as the competition between bacteria and us, for the nutrients in our food. To refine these dietary regimens, the David Lab has also developed new microfluidic tools that allow millions of individual bacterial cells to be cultured at once, along with an artificial gut that can simulate intestinal ecology. Human studies resulting from these efforts show it is feasible to predict who will most respond to microbiome-targeting diets. Visit the David Lab website for more information on their work.