Research summary
Intestinal microbiota play an influential role in disease development. As Canada Research Chair in the Role of the Microbiome in Inborn Errors of Immunity and Post-Infectious Conditions, Dr. Emilia Falcone is studying the role of host-microbiome interactions at the intestinal barrier in immune dysregulation. She is also examining end-organ damage in inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) and post-infectious conditions, such as long COVID. (IEIs are genetic disorders that affect the immune system and can make people more susceptible to infections.)
Falcone and her research team are investigating the role of gut microbiome—derived extracellular vesicles (GMEVs) in immune responses in chronic granulomatous disease (a genetic disorder) before and after treatment. They are also exploring the role of GMEVs in immune dysregulation and end-organ damage in long COVID and evaluating the prognostic potential of identified biomarkers for this condition. Ultimately, their research could uncover new drug targets to treat IEIs and long COVID.