Maude David’s research sits at the crossroads of microbiology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence — an intersection that may hold the key to understanding some of the most complex disorders affecting the human brain and unlocking the secrets of deep-sea ecosystems.
Scientists have long recognized the gut-brain axis as a critical communication pathway, but only recently have they begun to uncover how the trillions of microbes in our gut influence brain function and behavior. David’s research is at the forefront of this field, using microbiome analysis and artificial intelligence to investigate links between gut bacteria and neurological disorders like autism. Her work deepens our understanding of these complex interactions and opens new possibilities for treatments. By applying AI to both human health and environmental microbes, David is pioneering a data-driven approach that could transform neuroscience and microbiology alike.
Microbiome of the human body
The gut-brain axis is a complex, bi-directional communication network linking the gut and central nervous system. The gut doesn’t rely on just microbes to communicate with the brain, but sometimes nutrients also.
For example, when you consume sugar, specialized sensory cells in your gut detect it and send signals to the nervous system, helping to regulate metabolism, appetite and energy balance.
"So, in a millisecond, the bacteria or their metabolites can ‘touch’ your brain.”
Researchers have long known that the gut-brain axis exists, but only recently have they begun to unravel how the trillions of microbes residing in the gut influence brain function and behavior.
“I am fascinated by the complex relationship we have with our microbiome,” David said. “I work specifically on this pathway where the microbes could potentially modulate sensory cells, that’s two synapses in your brain. So, in a millisecond, the bacteria or their metabolites can ‘touch’ your brain.”
Her lab is particularly interested in what role this communication network may play in neurological disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using crowdsourced data, David and collaborators discovered that children with ASD have distinct differences in the composition of their gut microbiota compared to their neurotypical siblings. The researchers recruited 111 families that each have two children — one with autism and one without — born within two years of each other and aged two to seven years old.
The researchers collected stool samples from the children at three different time points, two weeks apart. They found eight bacterial genetic sequences that were more likely to be present in the guts of children with autism than in their non-autistic siblings, and three sequences that were less likely.
A follow-up study releasing later in 2025 found further interesting results linked to metabolites, small molecules produced during metabolism. These new findings are exciting because understanding the specific metabolic pathways altered in developmental and neurological disorders could pave the way for novel therapies targeting the gut microbiome.
“There have been very few drugs in the last 20 years focused on neurological disorders. It’s really the etiology, or causes, that are unknown. There is a big gap in understanding, and basic science can help bring solutions,” she said.
