Emily Coffey

This group's work focuses broadly on the gut and urinary microbiota in dogs and cats, with a particular interest in the role of the microbiome in urinary stone formation. They have multiple studies related to this topic that will include either 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data or shotgun metagenomics data of urine and stool samples in dogs. The group also investigates the role of diet, particularly fiber, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on the microbiome and stone risk factors in dogs. They are currently starting a project that will use a multi-omics approach to delineate the interplay between inulin (a prebiotic fiber), SCFAs, and stone risk in a naturally occurring canine model of urinary stone disease. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial will be performed using a crossover study design. The trial will examine the effects of inulin and SCFAs on the gut microenvironment, including the gut microbiome and intestinal oxalate transporter gene expression, and the urinary microenvironment, including the urinary microbiome and urinary biochemical profiles that are used to predict stone risk.