Andrew Hryckowian, PhD

Research description

We seek to understand the molecular and genetic underpinnings of gut microbiome community dynamics. Our work is a necessary step to build new concepts and approaches (distinct from widespread antibiotic use) to cope with “problematic” microbial communities, such as those that predispose and perpetuate gastrointestinal infectious diseases. We expect that our work will lead to the development of targeted approaches (e.g., phage therapy, dietary intervention, precision probiotics, new drugs) to impact a variety of diseases and will help us be better stewards of our dwindling antibiotic arsenal.  

To address our research questions, we employ a variety of approaches, drawing from our lab’s collective expertise in the microbiome, bacterial pathogenesis, and bacteriophage research fields. We also work with clinical collaborators at UW Hospitals and Clinics and elsewhere to reciprocally inform our work and to translate our findings into clinical practice. 

Selected publications

Lynch JB, Bennett BD, Merrill BD, Ruby EG, Hryckowian AJ (2022). Independent host- and bacterium-based determinants protect a model symbiosis from phage predation. Cell Reports. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110376 

*Gregory AL, *Pensinger DA, Hryckowian AJ (2021). A short chain fatty acid-centric view of Clostridioides difficile pathogenesis. PLoS Pathogens doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009959 *Co-first

Hryckowian AJ (2021). Microbiome Management for the 21st Century and Beyond. mSystems doi: https://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00760-21

*^Hryckowian AJ, *Merrill DB, Porter NT, Van Treuren W, Nelson EJ, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Martens EC, ^Sonnenburg JL (2020). Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron-infecting bacteriophage isolates inform sequence-based host range predictions. Cell Host & Microbe doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2020.06.011 *Co-first, ^Co-corresponding

*Porter NT, *^Hryckowian AJ, Merrill BD, Fuentes JJ, Gardner JO, Glowacki RWP, Singh S, Crawford RD, Snitkin ES, Sonnenburg JL, ^Martens EC (2020). Phase-variable capsular polysaccharides and lipoproteins modify bacteriophage susceptibility in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Nature Microbiology doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-0746-5 *Co-first, ^Co-corresponding

Hryckowian AJ, Van Treuren W, Smits SA, Davis NM, Gardner JO, Bouley DM, Sonnenburg JL (2018). Microbiota accessible carbohydrates suppress Clostridium difficile infection in a murine model. Nature Microbiology doi:10.1038/s41564-018-0150-6