Department of Medicine Brings Research to the Community at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair

Faculty researchers, Dr. Alexander Khoruts and Dr. Jose Debes and their teams occupied the Driven to Discover Research Facility at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair - at the state's largest annual get together. The Driven to Discover Research Facility brings University of Minnesota research into closer contact with the Minnesota community and allows fairgoers to participate in research in a fun, innovative, and convenient way. Research from the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (GI) and the Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine (IDIM) presented their studies to visitors multiple days over the fair’s two week run.

Dr. Alexander Khoruts and the Microbiota Therapeutics Program from GI attended the fair to share their research, “Can Silent Hitchhikers Spread Colon Cancer?” The study looks at the microbial drivers of colon cancer, pks+ E. coli bacteria. The prevalence of pks+ E. coli is increasing in the general population and is currently at ~ 20-30%. The team hypothesizes that pks+ E. coli is clustered among household members. Along with sharing their research, the team also enlisted individuals to join a gut microbiome study registry.

Dr. Jose Debes of IDIM and PhD student Erin Mann were also present with their study, “Help Us Reduce the Burden of Liver Cancer in MN.” Willing participants were asked to complete a 10 minute survey to help further their research.

The Driven to Discover Research Facility was launched in 2014. Approximately two million people visit the fair each year from across the state making it a great opportunity for researchers to reach a diverse pool of participants.