We leverage tools from machine learning and control theory to advance our understanding of biological systems. Our research focuses on the role of the microbiome in maintaining proper immune system function and development, as well as its impact on neurodegenerative diseases (gut-brain axis). Although specific research questions may evolve over time, a key hallmark of our work is the careful co-design of experimental and computational models. Biological systems are simply too complex to be probed through either paradigm alone.
To elucidate complex host-microbiome interactions, we often employ longitudinal (time-series) experimental study designs that allow for controlled perturbations. This approach enables us to harness the extensive set of tools developed by the dynamical systems and control theory communities over the past half-century. Additionally, we emphasize rigorous analysis of our computational models, with a portion of our work firmly rooted in pure machine learning and control theory. For more details on our research, see the Research tab.
Affiliations
The Gibson Lab is part of the Division of Computational Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. We are physically located in the Hale Building for Transformative Medicine (BTM) in Boston with space also at the MIT Stata Center in Cambridge. Dr. Gibson has primary faculty appointments at BWH and HMS with secondary appointments at MIT and the Broad Institute. Lab members are primarily drawn from HMS, Harvard, and MIT programs.
Funding
- NIH R35GM143056, 2021-2026, $2.2M - Machine Learning and Control Principles for Computational Biology
- NIH R21AI154075, 2021-2023, $450K - Tracking the microbiome: purpose-built machine learning tools for tracking microbial strains over time
- NSF MTM2, 2020-2025, $2.9M - The rules of microbiota colonization of the mammalian gut
Collaborators
- Berger Lab - MIT
- Walt Lab - BWH, HMS, Wyss Institute
- Gerber Lab - BWH, HMS
- Wang Lab - Columbia
- Active Adaptive Control Lab - MIT (Annaswamy)
- Hultgren Lab - WUSTL
- Bacterial Genomics Group - Broad Institute (Earl)
Locations
Gibson Lab
Offices in 8002 (8th floor left out of elevator)
Hale Building for Transformative Medicine (BTM)
60 Fenwood Road, Boston MA 02115
Dr. Gibson - Primary Office
8002D Hale BTM
Dr. Gibson - MIT Office
MIT Stata Center (32-G570)
32 Vassar St, Cambridge MA 02139