Mark Mimee is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, where he leads a research program focused on engineering the microbiome using synthetic biology approaches. His work centers on genetically modifying commensal bacteria and bacteriophages to create “living devices” that function as biosensors and cell-based therapeutics for infectious, inflammatory, and antibiotic-resistant diseases. By developing tools to precisely control the activity and composition of microbial communities, Mimee aims to better understand microbiome function while advancing new strategies for improving human health. His interdisciplinary research bridges microbiology, bioengineering, and host–pathogen interactions, with a long-term vision of harnessing the microbiota for both fundamental discovery and translational medical applications.
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