At the Íøºì±¬ÁÏ School of Medicine, Bing Ma, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, is exploring how the gut microbiome could shape outcomes for heart transplant patients — particularly long after surgery.
Noting that heart transplants are highly successful in the short term, with survival rates exceeding 95 percent in the first year, Ma cautioned, “After one year, the graft survival rate decreased dramatically.”
The issue is driven by the immune system, which often continues to recognize a transplanted heart as foreign. Ma’s work focuses on the role the gut microbiome plays in that response.
“The gut microbiome is one of the strongest mediators or the regulators of immune responses in the body,” she noted, and explained that the microbiome can either help regulate immune responses and support long-term graft acceptance — or accelerate rejection.
“Our work is trying to understand what microbes or what microbial product are beneficial,” Ma said, continuing, “Which are more harmful or detrimental, and how they influence this immune balance.”
By identifying those factors, her research aims to move beyond broad immunosuppressive therapies toward more precise, personalized approaches to care.
“Ultimately, we hope this research will help transplant patients not just survive but also thrive.”
Watch Ma’s full Q&A to learn more about how microbiome-informed therapies could transform transplant care.
