Advancing Poultry Health Through Immunology, Microbiome Science, and Translational Innovation

At the Yitbarek Lab (University of Delaware), we study how the immune system, gut microbiota, and nutrition intersect to shape disease resistance, vaccine efficacy, and overall health in poultry.

Our research focuses on:

• Avian immunology: Understanding innate, cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune responses in poultry.
• Microbiome–host interactions: Exploring how gut microbes influence vaccine outcomes, inflammatory pathways, and resistance to diseases like Clostridium perfringens and avian influenza.
• Next-generation vaccine development: Designing and testing innovative delivery systems including in ovo, foam spray, and mucosal nanoparticle-based vaccines.
• Nutritional immunology: Investigating how prebiotics, probiotics, and natural compounds (e.g., phytogenics, selenium, vitamin D) modulate immune and microbial responses.
• Swine microbiome & maternal programming: Investigating how maternal nutrition and gut microbial ecology influence sow health, microbial network stability, nutrient utilization, and piglet growth and resilience in swine production systems.

We work across basic immunology, microbial ecology, and applied poultry science, bridging academic research and industry collaboration.