It is known that the gut microbiome has a broad influence on health and diseases including infection, atherosclerosis, cancer, inflammatory, metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Alterations in the gut microbiome of MS patients has been reported by several investigators. However, the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to the pathophysiology of MS remain poorly understood. My laboratory is interested in identifying gut derived bacteria that modulate neuroinflammation and to elucidate their mechanisms of action. This comprehensive analysis will lead to the identification of microbial derived pathways that suppress CNS inflammation. Identification of these bacteria could lead to the discovery of disease biomarkers as well as novel and more efficacious prevention strategies and therapies for relapsing-remitting as well as progressive MS.