About

Taichi Suzuki, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator at the College of Health Solutions and the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes at Arizona State University. He leads the Suzuki Lab, which is part of the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes. The lab includes postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, MS students, and undergraduate volunteers, indicating a collaborative research environment. Prospective masters, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers interested in joining the lab are encouraged to contact Taichi Suzuki with a CV and statements of interest or proposed research. The lab's affiliation with the College of Health Solutions and the Biodesign Center highlights a focus on health-related microbiome research, although specific research topics or contributions are not detailed in the provided text.

Research topics

• Biology
• Genetics
• Evolutionary biology
• Zoology
• Immunology
• Ecology

Selected publications

• Selection and transmission of the gut microbiome alone can shift mammalian behavior

  Nature Communications · 2025-10-27 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Animals live in partnership with their gut microbiota, and these microbial communities often shift when hosts adapt to new environments. While it is well known that the microbiome can influence traits ranging from metabolism to behavior, a key question remains unresolved: can host traits under natural selection be transmitted solely through the microbiome, without changes to the host genome? Here we experimentally demonstrate that selection on a behavioral trait in mice significantly shifts the host trait over time through microbiome transmission alone. We first identify locomotor activity as transmissible through the gut microbiome, using fecal transfers from wild-derived mouse strains into germ-free male recipients. Building on this, we carry out four rounds of one-sided microbiome selection, serially transferring microbiomes from low-activity donors to independently bred male germ-free mice. Only this selection line, not the randomly chosen control line, shows a decrease in locomotion toward the end of the experiment. Reduced activity is linked to enrichment of Lactobacillus and its metabolite indolelactic acid, and administration of either alone is sufficient to suppress locomotion. These findings demonstrate that microbiome selection and transmission can shape mammalian behavior, independent of host genomic evolution. Our work highlights the role of microbiome-mediated trait inheritance in shaping host ecology and evolution.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinical outcomes of TAVR explant stratified by original risk profile: insights from 110 TAVR explants

  Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery · 2025-03-01 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Reoperations after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are increasingly reported with consistently poor outcomes. This study aimed to analyze clinical outcomes of TAVR explantation stratified by the original risk profile at the time of TAVR. Methods: We reviewed our single institutional series of 110 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR explant between 2013 and 2024. This cohort was stratified into low-risk (n=35), intermediate-risk (n=35), and high/extreme-risk (n=40) categories based on the original risk profile. Results: Low-risk patients began to appear in 2018. By 2021, the number of low/intermediate-risk patients surpassed that of the high/extreme-risk group. Balloon-expandable valves were predominantly used in the low-risk group, whereas chronic kidney disease was more prevalent in the other groups. The majority of patients in each group had either structural valve deterioration (SVD) and/or non-SVD as the primary failure mechanism, with endocarditis accounting for 20% or less. Cardiopulmonary bypass/aortic cross-clamp times were longest in the high-/extreme-risk group. Overall, 75 (68.2%) patients underwent a concomitant procedure during TAVR explant, most commonly an aortic (n=39; 52.0%) and a mitral procedure (n=29; 38.7%). The high/extreme-risk group had the highest rates of concomitant procedures. Operative mortality improved significantly over time, dropping from 27.3% in Era 1 (2013–2017) to 5.6% in Era 3 (2022–2024) (P=0.049). The operative and one-year mortality rates were 8.6%, 8.6%, and 7.5% (P=0.98), and 17.1%, 8.6%, and 17.5% (P=0.48) in the low-, intermediate-, and high-/extreme-risk group, respectively. Conversely, the observed-to-expected mortality ratio (O/E ratio) was highest in the low-risk group (2.8 vs. 1.0 vs. 0.8; P

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Selection and transmission of the gut microbiome alone shifts mammalian behavior

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-01-23 · 4 citations

  preprintOpen access1st author

  Abstract Natural selection acts on phenotypic variation, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors including the microbiome. Whether microbiome-mediated host phenotypes can be selected and transmitted remains untested in vertebrates. Here, we first identified locomotor activity as a trait transmissible through the gut microbiome in mice. We then performed a selection experiment, where we serially transferred microbiomes from low-activity mice to independently bred germ-free mice. Over four transfer rounds, microbiome transfer significantly reduced locomotor activity. Reduced locomotion was associated with increased Lactobacilli and their metabolite indolelactate. In a test of causality, independent administration to the mouse gut of Lactobacillus johnsonii or indolelactate reduced locomotion. These findings demonstrate that selection and transmission of microbes can modulate host traits independently of selection on the mammalian genome. One Sentence Summary Serial transfer of the gut microbiome of low-activity mice to germfree recipients reproducibly transferred activity levels, revealing the microbiome’s potential to impact the host’s response to selection without host genomic changes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Chest Wall Reconstruction Using a Titanium Mesh Plate and an Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Sheet: A Case Report

  Surgical Case Reports · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: The integrity and stability of the chest wall (CW) are major factors that ensure the protection of the thoracic organs and proper respiratory function. In cases requiring extensive CW resection for tumor control, reconstruction using autologous tissue or synthetic materials is often performed. However, the optimal approach remains undetermined. We report a case of successful CW reconstruction using a combination of a titanium mesh plate and a dual-surface expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sheet. CASE PRESENTATION: A man in his 70s presented for referral with a CW tumor in the left anterior chest. The tumor was located in the left anterior CW and was suspected to have pulmonary, thymic, and pectoralis major and minor invasions. Surgical resection included removal of the 2nd through the 4th ribs, partial left upper lobectomy, and partial thymectomy. The large CW defect was reconstructed via rigid reconstruction using a titanium mesh plate with a dual-mesh ePTFE sheet sewn inside. Pathological examination revealed a sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma. Three years after surgery, the patient remained recurrence-free. Despite radiographic evidence of titanium plate cracking, the pulmonary function and thoracic mechanics were preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ePTFE sheets, which have a smooth surface to protect the lungs and excellent tissue affinity, and titanium mesh plates, which are sufficiently rigid to maintain thoracic function, is an excellent method of rigid reconstruction that takes advantage of the strengths of each material. This technique is feasible and versatile and ensures short-term postoperative stability. Nevertheless, the long-term safety and potential complications warrant further clinical evaluation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Surgical management is associated with improved survival for endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

  Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery · 2025-03-01 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a rare yet devastating complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study aims to investigate the outcomes of surgical versus medical management of post-TAVR endocarditis. Methods: Between 2011 and 2024, 67 patients with post-TAVR endocarditis were identified, comprising 24 (35.8%) patients managed surgically and 43 (64.2%) managed medically. All cases were reviewed by our multidisciplinary endocarditis team to determine the optimal treatment strategy. Results: The overall incidence of post-TAVR endocarditis was 1.4%. The number of endocarditis cases increased over time from 1-2 in 2015-2018 to 18 in 2023. The most frequent source of endocarditis was unknown (32.8%), and the predominant causative organism was enterococcus species (25.4%). Notably, among the 43 medically managed patients, 19 (44.2%) exhibited surgical indications, predominantly due to large vegetations with or without embolic complications (n=11; 57.9%). The medical management group had a higher proportion of females and more frequent use of self-expandable valves compared to the surgical group. The time interval between TAVR and endocarditis diagnosis was similar across both groups. In the surgically managed cohort, isolated aortic valve replacement was uncommon, with most patients undergoing complex TAVR explantations coupled with concomitant procedures, most frequently aortic root repair (n=11; 45.8%). The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates for the three groups (surgical, medical without surgical indications, and medical with surgical indications) were 0%, 4.2%, and 31.6% (P=0.002), and 4.2%, 20.8%, and 73.7% (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Surgical management was associated with significantly improved survival compared to medical management for post-TAVR endocarditis. The poor clinical outcomes in the medically managed group were primarily due to patients who did not undergo surgery despite having surgical indications. Prudent clinical judgment and timely surgical intervention when indicated are critical to enhancing the overall clinical outcomes of this challenging condition.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Into the Wild: A novel wild-derived inbred strain resource expands the genomic and phenotypic diversity of laboratory mouse models

  PLoS Genetics · 2024-04-10 · 22 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  The laboratory mouse has served as the premier animal model system for both basic and preclinical investigations for over a century. However, laboratory mice capture only a subset of the genetic variation found in wild mouse populations, ultimately limiting the potential of classical inbred strains to uncover phenotype-associated variants and pathways. Wild mouse populations are reservoirs of genetic diversity that could facilitate the discovery of new functional and disease-associated alleles, but the scarcity of commercially available, well-characterized wild mouse strains limits their broader adoption in biomedical research. To overcome this barrier, we have recently developed, sequenced, and phenotyped a set of 11 inbred strains derived from wild-caught Mus musculus domesticus. Each of these "Nachman strains" immortalizes a unique wild haplotype sampled from one of five environmentally distinct locations across North and South America. Whole genome sequence analysis reveals that each strain carries between 4.73-6.54 million single nucleotide differences relative to the GRCm39 mouse reference, with 42.5% of variants in the Nachman strain genomes absent from current classical inbred mouse strain panels. We phenotyped the Nachman strains on a customized pipeline to assess the scope of disease-relevant neurobehavioral, biochemical, physiological, metabolic, and morphological trait variation. The Nachman strains exhibit significant inter-strain variation in >90% of 1119 surveyed traits and expand the range of phenotypic diversity captured in classical inbred strain panels. These novel wild-derived inbred mouse strain resources are set to empower new discoveries in both basic and preclinical research.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The keystone gut species <i>Christensenella minuta</i> boosts gut microbial biomass and voluntary physical activity in mice

  mBio · 2023-12-22 · 16 citations

  articleOpen access

  The composition of the human gut microbiome is associated with human health. Within the human gut microbiome, the relative abundance of the bacterial family Christensenellaceae has been shown to correlate with metabolic health and a lean body type. The mechanisms underpinning this effect remain unclear. Here, we show that live C. minuta influences host physical activity and metabolic energy expenditure, accompanied by changes in murine metabolism and the gut microbial community in a sex-dependent manner in comparison to heat-killed C. minuta . Importantly, live C. minuta boosts the biomass of the microbiome in the gut, and a higher level of C. minuta is associated with greater loss of energy in stool. These observations indicate that modulation of activity levels and changes to the microbiome are ways in which the Christensenellaceae can influence host energy homeostasis and health.

  PublisherDOI

• Into the Wild: A novel wild-derived inbred strain resource expands the genomic and phenotypic diversity of laboratory mouse models

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2023-09-21 · 5 citations

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT The laboratory mouse has served as the premier animal model system for both basic and preclinical investigations for a century. However, laboratory mice capture a narrow subset of the genetic variation found in wild mouse populations. This consideration inherently restricts the scope of potential discovery in laboratory models and narrows the pool of potentially identified phenotype-associated variants and pathways. Wild mouse populations are reservoirs of predicted functional and disease-associated alleles, but the sparsity of commercially available, well-characterized wild mouse strains limits their broader adoption in biomedical research. To overcome this barrier, we have recently imported, sequenced, and phenotyped a set of 11 wild-derived inbred strains developed from wild-caught Mus musculus domesticus . Each of these “Nachman strains” immortalizes a unique wild haplotype sampled from five environmentally diverse locations across North and South America: Saratoga Springs, New York, USA; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Manaus, Brazil; Tucson, Arizona, USA; and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Whole genome sequence analysis reveals that each strain carries between 4.73-6.54 million single nucleotide differences relative to the mouse reference assembly, with 42.5% of variants in the Nachman strain genomes absent from classical inbred mouse strains. We phenotyped the Nachman strains on a customized pipeline to assess the scope of disease-relevant neurobehavioral, biochemical, physiological, metabolic, and morphological trait variation. The Nachman strains exhibit significant inter-strain variation in &gt;90% of 1119 surveyed traits and expand the range of phenotypic diversity captured in classical inbred strain panels alone. Taken together, our work introduces a novel wild-derived inbred mouse strain resource that will enable new discoveries in basic and preclinical research. These strains are currently available through The Jackson Laboratory Repository under laboratory code NachJ .

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Akibat evolusi, mikroba yang ada di usus manusia diwariskan dari generasi ke generasi

  2023-03-30

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Inhibitory effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on contractions in pig basilar and coronary arteries

  Proceedings for Annual Meeting of The Japanese Pharmacological Society · 2022-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in fish oil. We recently showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), another n-3 PUFA, potently inhibited pig basilar and coronary artery contractions induced by U46619 (a TP receptor agonist) and prostaglandin (PG) F2α. We also showed that prostanoid TP receptors are potential targets for DHA. In this study, we investigated whether EPA, like DHA, suppresses contractions of pig basilar and coronary arteries induced by U46619 and PGF2α through inhibition of the TP receptor. EPA suppressed both U46619- and PGF2α-induced pig basilar and coronary contractions in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting 80 mM KCl-induced contractions. U46619-/PGF2α-induced contractions in both arteries were completely/largely suppressed by SQ 29,548 (a TP receptor antagonist). In addition, EPA suppressed U46619-/PGF2α-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in human TP receptor-overexpressing 293T cells, whereas it showed only a slight effect on PGF2α-induced [Ca2+]i increases in human FP receptor-overexpressing 293T cells. These findings suggest that EPA strongly suppresses TP-receptor-mediated contractions of pig basilar and coronary arteries, which can be partially attributed to its inhibitory effects on the TP receptor.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Michael W. Nachman

  Integra (United States)

  52 shared

• Megan Phifer‐Rixey

  Drexel University

  27 shared

• Ke Bi

  Zhejiang University

  20 shared

• Dana Lin

  Vanderbilt University

  15 shared

• Felipe M. Martins

  Universidade de São Paulo

  14 shared

• Andreas S. Chavez

  The Ohio State University

  13 shared

• Andrew H. Moeller

  12 shared

• Elizabeth J. Beckman

  Museum of Vertebrate Zoology

  10 shared

Labs

• SUZUKI LABPI

  Prospective masters and PhD students: Please email Taichi with a CV and a brief statement of interest. Also check out the graduate programs of College of Health Solutions or School of Life Sciences...

Education

• B.S., Animal Science

  Nihon University

  2009

• M.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

  University of Arizona

  2011

• Ph.D., Integrative Biology

  University of California Berkeley

  2018