Dr Perdijk is a mucosal immunologist by training. He wants to understand the intricate mechanisms by which host-microbe interactions in the gut modulate systemic and local immune responses and disease susceptibility. His research aims to harness the therapeutic potential of microbes and metabolites. He employs -omics approaches, animal models of disease and cellular assays to reveal these complex mechanisms. 

Specific Research aims:

1. Harnessing the early-life microbiome to prevent childhood asthma  
2. Deciphering the metabolic requirements of the developing airway epithelium in early life
3. Revealing how a ketogenic diet modulates neuronal excitability and epilepsy susceptibility
4. Unlocking the potential of postbiotics as regulators of systemic metabolic and immune health