Dion Lepp, Ph.D.

Biologist

Manager of Guelph RDC genomics lab

Current research and/or projects

Dr. Lepp’s work focuses on the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease, and its modulation by dietary interventions in the context of both humans and production animals. He has also contributed significantly to our understanding of poultry diseases, such as necrotic enteritis, and has developed alternative strategies to control the disease towards limiting the use of antibiotics in poultry production. His work significantly contributes to the growth and profitability of the agri-food sector through the characterization of beneficial food attributes and mitigation of production risks.

Research and/or project statements

Effects of bean-based diets on human cholesterol levels, gut microbiota and associated metabolites
Effects of lentils on gut health and obesity
Development of alternative approaches to control necrotic enteritis in poultry
Identification of bacterial enzymes to detoxify mycotoxins

Professional activities / interests

Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, focusing on microbiota analysis, bacterial pathogenomics and transcriptomics
Investigations of the gut microbiota and its role in health and disease of both humans and production animals
Understanding the pathogenesis of poultry necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens towards developing alternatives to antibiotics

Education and awards

Ph.D. Pathobiology, University of Guelph, 2012

M.Sc. Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, 2000

Key publications

Power, K.A., Lepp, D., Zarepoor, L., Monk, J.M., Wu, W., Tsao, R., Liu, R. (2016). Dietary flaxseed modulates the colonic microenvironment in healthy C57Bl/6 male mice which may alter susceptibility to gut-associated diseases. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, [online] 28 61-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.09.028
2016 - View publication details
Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., Zhang, C.P., Wu, W., Zarepoor, L., Lu, J.T., Pauls, K.P., Tsao, R., Wood, G.A., Robinson, L.E., Power, K.A. (2016). Diets enriched with cranberry beans alter the microbiota and mitigate colitis severity and associated inflammation, 28 129-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.10.014
2016 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia insulae DS-56, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LAJE00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000970465.1".
2015 - View publication details
Power, K.A., Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., and Wu, W. (2015). "Bean-supplemented diet alters the colonic microenvironment to enhance barrier integrity and reduce colitis-associated inflammation and tissue damage.", FASEB: Gastrointestinal Tract XVI: GI Homeostasis: The Microbiome and the Barrier, Development, and Disease, Steamboat Springs, CO, USA, August 2-7, 2015.
2015 - View publication details
Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., Wu, W., Pauls, K.P., and Power, K.A. (2015). "Navy bean supplementation attenuates obesity-related impairments in gut barrier function.", Bean Improvement Cooperatives 2015, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 1-4, 2015, Oral presentation.
2015 - View publication details
Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., Zhang, C., Wu, W., Wood, G.A., Robinson, L.E., and Power, K.A. (2015). "Cranberry beans alter gut micriobial activity and community structure, improve gut health and mitigate colitis severity.", Canadian Nutrition Society Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Canada, May 28-30, 2015. (Abstract)
2015 - View publication details
Islam, M.R., Lepp, D., Yin, X., Ross, K.A., Delaquis, P.J., Erhet, D., and Diarra, M.S. (2015). "Gut Microbiota of Organic Broiler Chickens Fed with or without Blueberry Pomace", Guelph Food Safety Seminar Series - Food Safety: Compliance to Commitment (GFSS 11th Annual Symposium), Guelph, Ontario, Canada, October 22, 2015, Poster presentation. (Abstract)
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., He, J., Li, X.-Z., Lepp, D., Zhu, H., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Deoxynivalenol epimerization - A novel biotransformation with potential applications in improving crop resistance against Fusarium diseases.", 18th International Plant Protection Congress, Berlin, Germany, August 24-27, 2015, Oral presentation # OBT6, pp. 89. (Abstract)
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia limi DSM 17137, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LAJF00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000970435.1".
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., Li, X.-Z., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia geojensis strain BD-c194, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: JZEX00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000969415.1".
2015 - View publication details
Lepp, D., Hassan, Y.I., Li, X.-Z., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia subaequoris strain HST3-14, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LANK00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCA_000971285.1".
2015 - View publication details
Islam, R., Yin, X., Lepp, D., Topp, E., and Diarra, M.S. (2015). "Comparative genomics of Escherichia coli isolated from soil fertilized with litter of chicken fed with or without tetracycline.", 2015 International Association of Food Protection (IAFP), Portland, Oregon, USA, July 25-28, 2015. (Abstract)
2015 - View publication details
Lepp, D., Hassan, Y.I., Li, X.-Z., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia psychrophila strain Cr7-05, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LAPV00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000971275.1".
2015 - View publication details
Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., Wu, W., and Power, K.A. (2015). "Navy bean supplementation alters microbial activity and community structure and improves gut barrier integrity in lean and obese mice.", 8th Probiotics, Prebiotics and New Foods for Microbiota and Human Health, Rome, Italy, September 13-15, 2015.
2015 - View publication details
Lepp, D., Hassan, Y.I., Li, X.-Z., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia epidermidihirudinis strain E84, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LANJ00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000971295.1".
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Next-generation whole-genome sequencing platforms and factors to consider for bacterial applications.", Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 5(1), pp. 29-33. doi : 10.15414/jmbfs.2015.5.1.29-33
2015 - View publication details
Power, K.A., Monk, J.M., Lepp, D., Wu, W., and Pauls, K.P. (2015). "Bean supplementation enhances the colonic microenvironment and barrier integrity resulting in reduced colitis-associated tissue damage.", Bean Improvement Cooperatives 2015, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 1-4, 2015.
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia chinhatensis strain IPL18, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: JZEY00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000969445.1".
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Devosia soli strain GH2-10, whole genome shotgun sequencing project; GenBank: LAJG00000000.1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assembly/GCF_000970455.1".
2015 - View publication details
Hassan, Y.I., Lepp, D., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Genome Assemblies of Three Soil-Associated Devosia species: D. insulae, D. limi, and D. soli.", Genome Announcements, 3(3: Article e00514-15).
2015 - View publication details