Ran Blekhman is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, where he leads a computational lab working at the interface of human genomics and microbiome research. His lab integrates large-scale genomic datasets and develops computational and deep learning approaches to characterize host-microbiome interactions, understand how they influence health, and translate findings into actionable insights for disease prevention and treatment. Before joining UChicago in 2022, Dr. Blekhman spent nine years as faculty at the University of Minnesota. He completed his postdoctoral training at Cornell University and earned his Ph.D. in Human Genetics from The University of Chicago. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Biology from Tel Aviv University.
Distinct trajectories of urbanization shape the human gut microbiome across South Asia.
Distinct trajectories of urbanization shape the human gut microbiome across South Asia. Gut Microbes. 2026 Dec 31; 18(1):2700042.
PMID: 42444491
Social microbiome transmission predicts microbial specialization and host lifespan in a wild primate.
Social microbiome transmission predicts microbial specialization and host lifespan in a wild primate. bioRxiv. 2026 Apr 30.
PMID: 42094537
Bacterial fecal microbiome composition associated with HIV stage among rural and peri-urban adults living with HIV in Uganda.
Bacterial fecal microbiome composition associated with HIV stage among rural and peri-urban adults living with HIV in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis. 2026 Mar 10; 26(1).
PMID: 41807945
Host genotypes interact with microbial communities to modulate gene expression in the human intestine.
Host genotypes interact with microbial communities to modulate gene expression in the human intestine. medRxiv. 2026 Feb 06.
PMID: 41674640
Metabolic modeling and functional genomics reveal taxa and host gene interactions in colorectal cancer.
Metabolic modeling and functional genomics reveal taxa and host gene interactions in colorectal cancer. bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 28.
PMID: 41659628
Distinct trajectories of urbanization shape the human gut microbiome across South Asia.
Distinct trajectories of urbanization shape the human gut microbiome across South Asia. bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 23.
PMID: 41648281
Maternal Physical Activity and Its Relationship to the Human Milk Metabolome and Infant Body Composition.
Maternal Physical Activity and Its Relationship to the Human Milk Metabolome and Infant Body Composition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025 12 18; 111(1):129-138.
PMID: 40417941
Assembly of the infant gut microbiome and resistome are linked to bacterial strains in mother's milk.
Assembly of the infant gut microbiome and resistome are linked to bacterial strains in mother's milk. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 22; 16(1):11536.
PMID: 41274878
Host transcriptional responses to gut microbiome variation arising from urbanism.
Host transcriptional responses to gut microbiome variation arising from urbanism. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct 26.
PMID: 41278623
Analyzing human gut microbiome data from global populations: challenges and resources.
Analyzing human gut microbiome data from global populations: challenges and resources. Trends Microbiol. 2025 Nov; 33(11):1212-1223.
PMID: 40483188