Martin J. Blaser

Martin Blaser working in his lab at the NYU Langone Medical Center

Martin J. Blaser is an American physician and microbiologist known for his research on the human microbiome and its relationship to health and disease. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of the role of Helicobacter pylori in the human stomach and its implications for gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease.

Early Life and Education

Blaser was born in New York City. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Career

Blaser has held various academic and clinical positions throughout his career. He served as the chair of the Department of Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and was the director of the Human Microbiome Program at the New York University Langone Medical Center.

Research

Blaser's research has focused on the human microbiome, particularly the role of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. His work has shown that while H. pylori is a major cause of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease, it may also play a protective role against certain diseases, such as esophageal cancer and asthma.

He has also studied the impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and how the overuse of antibiotics can lead to long-term health consequences, including the development of antibiotic resistance and the disruption of beneficial microbial communities.

Publications and Awards

Blaser has authored numerous scientific papers and books, including "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues." He has received several awards for his contributions to medicine and microbiology, including the Alexander Fleming Award from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Personal Life

Blaser is married to Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, a fellow microbiologist. They have collaborated on various research projects related to the human microbiome.

See Also

• Microbiome
• Helicobacter pylori
• Antibiotic resistance
• Gastric cancer
• Peptic ulcer