Eugene B. Chang, MD

The focus of my group is on the study of the intestinal microbes and how they interact with the host. This relationship is fundamental to our health and, when perturbed, the consequences can be catastrophic. In this regard, the emergence of “new age” disorders like diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer and autoimmune disorders over the past century may be related to large shifts in the composite human microbiome caused by changes in the environment and life styles. In genetically susceptible individuals, these factors can potentially trigger events that disturb immune and metabolic homeostasis, initiating the development of disease. Our efforts are therefore directed towards gaining a better understanding of what factors are involved in the selection and assembly of intestinal microbes, and how they can be used to reshape the enteric microbiome to prevent and treat disease. We employ cutting edge approaches that include cultivation-dependent and –independent technologies for microbial analysis, genetically modified and gnotobiotic mouse models, metabolic and functional measurements, and advanced bioinformatic tools to investigate both the host and the microbiome.



For more information, visit my laboratory website: http://changlab.uchicago.edu/

A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut.
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. 2024 Feb 29; 187(5):1206-1222.e16.
PMID: 38428395

Sodium oligomannate alters gut microbiota, reduces cerebral amyloidosis and reactive microglia in a sex-specific manner.
Sodium oligomannate alters gut microbiota, reduces cerebral amyloidosis and reactive microglia in a sex-specific manner. Mol Neurodegener. 2024 Feb 17; 19(1):18.
PMID: 38365827

A novel conjugative transposon carrying an autonomously amplified plasmid.
A novel conjugative transposon carrying an autonomously amplified plasmid. mBio. 2024 Feb 14; 15(2):e0278723.
PMID: 38259081

Microbially catalyzed conjugation of GABA and tyramine to bile acids.
Microbially catalyzed conjugation of GABA and tyramine to bile acids. J Bacteriol. 2024 01 25; 206(1):e0042623.
PMID: 38174933

Microbially-catalyzed conjugation of GABA and tyramine to bile acids.
Microbially-catalyzed conjugation of GABA and tyramine to bile acids. bioRxiv. 2023 Dec 13.
PMID: 37808758

Bile acid fitness determinants of a Bacteroides fragilis isolate from a human pouchitis patient.
Bile acid fitness determinants of a Bacteroides fragilis isolate from a human pouchitis patient. mBio. 2024 Jan 16; 15(1):e0283023.
PMID: 38063424

Oral Metformin Inhibits Choroidal Neovascularization by Modulating the Gut-Retina Axis.
Oral Metformin Inhibits Choroidal Neovascularization by Modulating the Gut-Retina Axis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2023 Dec 01; 64(15):21.
PMID: 38108689

Multiomic analysis reveals cellular and epigenetic plasticity in intestinal pouches of ulcerative colitis patients.
Multiomic analysis reveals cellular and epigenetic plasticity in intestinal pouches of ulcerative colitis patients. medRxiv. 2023 Nov 13.
PMID: 38014192

Microbiota-dependent early life programming of gastrointestinal motility.
Microbiota-dependent early life programming of gastrointestinal motility. bioRxiv. 2023 Nov 13.
PMID: 38014241

The Host-specific Microbiota is Required for Diet-Specific Metabolic Homeostasis.
The Host-specific Microbiota is Required for Diet-Specific Metabolic Homeostasis. bioRxiv. 2023 Nov 06.
PMID: 37986759

View All Publications

Takeda Distinguished Scientist Award
Takeda, Inc.
2014

National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease Advisory Council
National Institutes of Health
2013 - 2017

AGA Outstanding Mentorship award
American Gastroenterological Association
2013

AGA Academy of Educators
American Gastroenterological Association
2013

NIH Merit Award
National Institutes of Health
2008 - 2018