Dissecting the Impacts of PFOA Exposure on the Gut-Brain Axis
Project Description
Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent environmental pollutant, has been shown to induce significant alterations in the gut microbiome, disrupting the delicate balance of microbial communities essential for host metabolic homeostasis. One key consequence of this dysbiosis is the impairment of tryptophan-to-serotonin metabolism. Disruption in these metabolic pathways can reduce the availability of essential neuroprotective compounds while increasing neurotoxic intermediates, leading to systemic and central nervous system inflammation accompanied by abnormal accumulation of neurodegenerative markers such as phosphorylated tau, hallmarks of diseases like Alzheimer’s. The research team of Drs. Yuan, Zheng, and Wang is interested in recruiting highly-motivated individuals to link PFOA exposure with the gut microbiome changes that increases susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease risks. The candidates are expected to work with both hiPSC derived tissue culture, the gut microbes, and rodent models. Candidates with prior experience of stem cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and/or proteomics are preferred but not required.
Start Date
March 2, 2026
Postdoc Qualifications
The candidate should have Ph.D. or M.D. degree with the training background of stem cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and/or proteomics.
Co-advisors
Dr. Chongli Yuan, cyuan@purdue.edu, School of Chemical Engineering, https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/people/ptProfile?resource_id=65069
Dr. Qingfei Zheng, zhengqf@purdue.edu, College of Pharmacy, https://www.mcmp.purdue.edu/faculty/zhengqf
Bibliography
- Wu et al, Environ. Int. 2024, 190, 108914;
- Zheng et al, Nature, 2025, 637, 974-982;
- Zhang et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 24, 16714-16720;
- Wang et al, J. Crohns Colitis, 2025, 19, jjae148;
- Kelly, Wang et al, PNAS, 2024, 121, e2314085121.