Agricultural and Life Sciences (IFAS)
Lorca Lab
Led by Graciela Lorca · Microbiology and Cell Science
What we study
The Lorca Lab studies probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2, focusing on their role in health, immunity, and diabetes prevention. Researchers use protein purification, cell culture, and genetics to explore how these bacteria interact with the body.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Clinical
- Bacteria & microbes
- Human participants
- Coding helps
- Projects
- 2
- Papers
- 5
Current projects
Phase II Clinical Trial for Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2
Testing the safety and efficacy of Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 as a probiotic treatment for Type 1 Diabetes in pediatric and adult patients.
Investigation of LysR2 Transcriptional Regulator Binding Sequence Onto the MarR Gene Promoter from Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2
The lab studies how a protein called LysR2 in a probiotic bacteria binds to DNA when bile is present. Students grow the bacteria with bile, look at gene activity, and test how changes in the DNA affect the protein’s binding.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 147
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- Specific residues modulate the antiviral activity of the extracellular vesicle-derived effector SH3b domain from Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2
2026 · Frontiers in Immunology
Tests which parts of a protein from a bacteria help fight viruses in mice.
- A critical evaluation of methodological and mechanistic insights on probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles
2025 · Frontiers in Nutrition
Reviews how probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles work in diseases, pointing out gaps in research methods.
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- Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 Phospholipids Induce T Cell Anergy upon Cognate Dendritic Cell Interactions
2025 · Metabolites
Shows how Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 phospholipids calm immune cells to reduce inflammation.
- Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 improves glycemia and reduces diabetes-induced organ injury in the db/db mice model
2025 · Journal of Endocrinology
Tests whether Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 helps control diabetes in mice by improving blood sugar and reducing organ damage.
- The Sdp-SH3b2 domain contained in Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit murine norovirus replication
2024 · Frontiers in Immunology
Finds that Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 extracellular vesicles help fight norovirus by boosting antiviral defenses.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Graciela Lorca hasn't set up this page yet. Their UF Scholars profile lists their publications.