In the Zlitni lab, we study the role of microbial communication in the assembly and function of the human microbiome, with a particular focus on how these interactions protect the host from infectious and chronic diseases. Trillions of microbes live on and inside our bodies, forming what can be described as an 'organ' that plays a critical role in health, physiology, and defense against pathogens. One of the field's biggest questions is how these microbes come together to form communities that perform essential functions for the host.

One research interest is in the de novo design, in which one designs proteins or drugs beginning from first principles. This approach critically tests our understanding of protein folding and function, while also laying the groundwork for the design of molecules with properties unprecedented in nature.