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

Allen, K.J., Lepp, D., McKellar, R.C., Griffiths, M.W. (2008). Examination of stress and virulence gene expression in Escherichia coli O157:H7 using targeted microarray analysis. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, [online] 5(4), 437-447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2008.0100
2008 - View publication details
Sarson, A.J., Parvizi, P., Lepp, D., Quinton, M., Sharif, S. (2008). Transcriptional analysis of host responses to Marek's disease virus infection in genetically resistant and susceptible chickens. Animal Genetics, [online] 39(3), 232-240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2008.01710.x
2008 - View publication details
Dingwel, R.T., Leslie, K.E., Sabour, P.M., Lepp, D., and Pacan, J.C. (2006). "Influence of the genotype of Staphylococcus aureus, determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, on dry-period elimination of subclinical mastitis in Canadian dairy herds.", Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 70(2), pp. 115-120.
2006 - View publication details
Sabour, P.M., Gill, J.J., Lepp, D., Pacan, J.C., Ahmed, R., Dingwell, R., and Leslie, K.E. (2004). "Molecular typing and distribution of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Eastern Canadian dairy herds.", Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 42(8), pp. 3449-3455.
2004 - View publication details