Media Coverage

A study led by researchers in ISB’s Gibbons Lab found that bowel movement frequency is linked to differences in gut microbiota and subtle changes in blood chemistry, suggesting that both infrequent and overly frequent defecation may relate to microbiome balance and toxin exposure risk.

Dr. Mary Brunkow tops Seattle Magazine’s “Most Influential” list, highlighting leaders shaping culture and community. The profile recognizes her groundbreaking scientific contributions and local impact, situating her alongside innovators across fields in this annual Seattle spotlight.

Lee Hood was ranked #41 on Forbes’ “250 America’s Greatest Innovators” list, published in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The list highlights individuals whose scientific leadership, creativity, and impact are shaping the future of science and innovation — and recognizes Hood’s lasting contributions to research and discovery.

ISB Postdoc Nathaniel (Nate) Ritz, Ph.D., was named a 2026 WRF Postdoctoral Fellow, receiving three years of support from the Washington Research Foundation to advance technology that decodes gut microbiota-host chemical communication. The award is part of WRF’s statewide program backing early-career scientists pursuing high-impact research.

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) has been awarded a 2025 AWS Imagine Grant — funding that will accelerate the development of its generative-AI platform Tarpon, which creates “digital fingerprints” of T-cell receptors, enabling faster discovery and design of targeted immunotherapies.

This feature traces the remarkable arc of Mary Brunkow — from undergraduate at the University of Washington to 2025 Nobel Laureate — spotlighting her foundational discovery of the gene FOXP3, and how that breakthrough unlocked a new understanding of immune-system self-tolerance. The story also reflects on the years of basic research, the long-standing impact on immunology, and how Brunkow’s journey connects back to her roots in Seattle’s scientific community.

ISB-led research from the Gibbons Lab shows that how often people have bowel movements is linked to overall health and disease risk. The study suggests an optimal “Goldilocks” range of once or twice daily, with deviations associated with broader physiological changes.

ISB’s Dr. Sean Gibbons explores the science of bowel habits and the microbiome, explaining how frequency, timing, and stool form reflect overall health. The conversation connects everyday experiences with cutting-edge research on digestion, diet, and the trillions of microbes that shape human well-being.