Discovery Series, Dr. Sid Venkatesh, Assistant Professor, Institute for Systems Biology (ISB)

​What if combating childhood malnutrition isn’t just about food insecurity — but also about the microbes living in their intestines?

​For decades, gut‑microbiome research has revealed tantalizing correlations but hasn't explained why certain bacteria matter. In this Discovery Series event, Sid Venkatesh will discuss how researchers built “defined” communities of gut microbes and used germ‑free animal models to test the effects of adding or excluding specific bacterial strains. By combining these approaches with gene‑expression profiling, mass spectrometry, and biochemical analysis, researchers are uncovering cause‑and‑effect relationships.

​Sid's work has led to two major breakthroughs:

• ​the development of a new microbiota‑directed therapeutic food, now reaching 20,000 malnourished children around the world, and

• ​the discovery of a microbial enzyme that activates hunger‑related pathways in malnourished children.

​We'll learn how mechanistic insights from the microbiome can translate into real‑world solutions with global public health impact.

​About the Discovery Series: designed to bring together the state's preeminent researchers, innovative leaders, and elected officials who want to stay on top of important advancements being made in our state, each Discovery Series program includes lunch, networking time, a Q&A session, and an opportunity to meet the speaker. 

​Agenda 

​11:30 am to 12 pm - Lunch 

​12 pm to 12:40 pm - Presentation 

​12:40 pm to 1 pm - Audience Q&A