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Unraveling the gut microbiome of the long-lived naked mole-rat

Leipziger Uni Professor Birkenmeier sondiert die Biochemie des Nacktmulls pdaBigTeaser2A recently published article in Nat. Sci. Rep. by Debebe et al. presents the analysis of the gut microbiome and metabolome of the long-lived naked mole-rat. The data were collected and compiled in a very cooperative manner by scientists from Bologna, Berlin, Addis Ababa and Leipzig.

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a mouse-sized African mammal that shows few age-related degenerative changes and seems to be resistant to cancer. We characterize for the first time the intestinal microbial ecosystem of the naked mole-rat in comparison to humans and other mammals and highlighting peculiarities related to the specific living environment. Some compositional gut microbiota characteristics were also shared with human gut microbial ecosystems of centenarians and Hadza hunter-gatherers considered as models of a healthy gut microbiome. We found an enrichment of short-chain fatty acids and carbohydrate degradation products in naked mole-rat compared to human samples.

In this study, Dr Debebe and his team suggests that the particular commensal bacteria in connection with the plant-originated diet seem to contribute to the peculiarities responsible for their long healthy life.

One of the co-author of this study, Prof. Gerd Birkenmeier from Medicine University of Leipzig will present the results of this study during the 5th World Congress on Targeting Microbiota. For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

Source: Unraveling the gut microbiome of the long-lived naked mole-rat. Debebe & al. Nat. Sci. Rep. 

 

Targeting Microbiota 2017: Come & Network with....

Microbiota 2016bThe International Society of Microbiota is honored to welcoming attendees coming from all around the world, from academics and industries. Among them, you can meet: 

4D Pharma, APR, Beiersdorf, Biocodex, Bio-K Plus Pharma, Biose industrie, Biofortis, Clariant Production France, Diversigen, DNA Genotek, DSM Nutritional Products, EF Biomnis, Eurofins Cerep, Ezaki Glico, Genoscreen, Health Optimization Medicine and Practice, Igenomix, Laboratoires M&L, MaaT Pharma, Mayapada Hospital/PT Fresenius Kabi, Mayoly Spindler, MSD, Nestle Research Center, Novozymes,

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Indoles from commensal bacteria extend healthspan: a recent study presented by Prof. Jones

Jones rheinallt2 targeting microbiotaA recently published article in PNAS by Sonowal et al. demonstrated that indole generated by intestinal E. coli boosts mobility and resilience in C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice.

These influences were particularly evident during the later stages of organismal lifespans. The results propose that indoles are ancient messenger molecules whereby the microbiota elicits its positive influence on health.

The article’s corresponding author is Dr Dan Kalman of Emory University, and during the ISM meeting, Dr Rheinallt Jones who is a co-author on the manuscript will discuss these findings.  

For more information about the congress: www.microbiota-site.com

 

 

Social ties linked with gut microbiota

socialSpouses and siblings who report feeling close to one another are more likely to exhibit gut microbial communities that are similar to one another, according to computational biologist Kimberly Dill-McFarland, a postdoc in the lab of Federico Rey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who presented these data at the annual American Society for Microbiology meeting in New Orleans this week (June 1-5). But, people share more species with their cohabitating spouse than with their siblings, and notably, social individuals are also more similar to one another in microbial composition than they are with other people.

Dill-McFarland collaborated with social scientists to obtain and analyze fecal samples from individuals participating in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study—a cohort consisting of 10,317 participants, surveyed every 10 years since they graduated high school in 1957. Five hundred participants completed a 2011 follow-up survey, were living on their own in select Wisconsin counties, and had a sibling in the study who submitted fecal samples for microbial analysis in 2014 to 2015; these individuals ranged from 58 to 91 years old.

The researchers analyzed beta diversity, or the degree to which individuals’ microbial communities differ from one another, and determined if there were any demographic, health, dietary, or social variables that correlate with microbial composition similarity between people.

They found that individuals differed significantly based on sex. In terms of microbial species composition, “a man looks more like a man, and a woman looks more like a woman,” Dill-McFarland tells The Scientist.

Individuals with a high degree of socialness—how often they go out with family or friends—were also similar to one another. Participants were also more similar with one another if they had a high protein diet, a recent history of antibiotic use, and heart disease.

Dill-McFarland’s team determined that participants shared 15 percent of their microbes with family members. Spouses shared an additional 9 percent just with one another, while siblings shared an additional 6 percent.

Relationship closeness significantly correlated with microbial similarity; spouses and siblings who reported that their relationship was very close were more similar microbially than those who reported that their relationship was somewhat or not at all close. However, according to Dill-McFarland, a small number of people reported feeling not at all close to their families, limiting how much she could draw conclusions from the associations.

These data demonstrate that “close, sustained human relationships impact your microbial community,” says Dill-McFarland, which is likely to occur “through microbial sharing, [that is,] physically sharing microbes between the two people, as well as shared social choices.” An individual’s close social network influences what they’re eating, where they’re going, and what they’re doing, explains Dill-McFarland, which, in turn, influences gut microbial composition.

One caveat, says Dill-McFarland, is that unrelated individuals are likely more similar to one another in this sample than from a random sample of the US or global population, because they’re within a similar age range and have spent a part of their life in the same place.

The idea that people are capable of passing on their gut microbes to others, especially those who live in the same household, is not a novel premise. However, researchers have yet to definitely demonstrate whether it’s possible to directly transfer gut microbes between people throughout their normal, day-to-day interactions. Data supporting microbial transfer in humans is all correlational, says Dill-McFarland, not unlike the current data. Senior author and microbiologist Rey and Pamela Herd, a social scientist, plan on investigating this in future studies with animal models.

Dr Federico Rey is a Key speaker of Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017 which will be held in Berlin and will brievly presents this study. More information on www.microbiota-site.com

 

Source for picture: IXABAY, SHLOMASTER

News selected from The Scientist: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/49591/title/Social-Ties-Linked-with-Gut-Microbiota/

Health Optimization Medicine (HOMe): Presentation of a framework to include microbiota and mitochondria in clinical practice

Ted Achacosa MicrobiotaDr Theodore Achacoso from Health Optimization Medicine and Practice Association, USA and BioBalance Institute, Manila, Philippines Will give a strategic presentation during Targeting Microbiota congress about Health Optimization Medicine (HOMe): A framework to include microbiota and mitochondria in clinical practice.

According to Dr Achacoso: "“Illness Medicine” diagnoses and treats disease at the organ level of organization, for example, neurology and cardiology. Allopathic Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, and Functional Medicine are all clinical practices that diagnose and treat disease. In contrast, “Health Optimization Medicine” or HOMe detects and corrects imbalances at the cellular and intracellular level of organization and communication [...]. Currently, detection and correction of imbalances is at the level of the metabolome, [...] may allow detection and correction of subatomic imbalances [...] HOMe is a clinical practice at the level of structure, information, and energy common to all cells, regardless of organ."

During the congress, Dr Achacoso will describe HOMe and its practical aspects. 

What microbes harbor the long-lived naked-mole rats?

gerd Birkenmeier targeting microbiota 2017Prof. Gerd Birkenmeier from University of Leipzign, Germany will present his study related to "What microbes harbor the long-lived naked-mole rats?" during the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to him: "The naked mole-rat (NMR) is a subterranean mouse-sized African mammal that shows astonishingly few age-related degenerative changes and seems to not be affected by cancer. We characterize for the first time the intestinal microbial ecosystem of the NMR in comparison to humans and other mammals, highlighting peculiarities related to the specific living environment. The gut microbiota peculiarities were shared with human gut microbial ecosystems of centenarians and Hadza hunter-gatherers, considered as models of a healthy gut microbiome and of a homeostatic and highly adaptive gut microbiota-host relationship.These data confirm the importance of the gut microbial ecosystem as an adaptive partner for the mammalian biology and health, independently of the host phylogeny."

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

The microbiota, epigenome and transcriptome of colonic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease

Marcus Claesson Microbiota 2017During the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017, Dr. Marcus Claesson from University College Cork, Ireland will present his study related to "The microbiota, epigenome and transcriptome of colonic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease”

Previous studies of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have yielded inconclusive results for the composition and relationship between the microbiota and topographic distribution of inflammation. Dr Claeson's team examined paired biopsies from inflamed and non-inflamed segments of colonic mucosa from a large number of IBD patients and healthy controls using high throughput sequencing for microbiota composition and host/microbe expression, and bead arrays for host genetic and epigenetic analyses. Their findings confirmed some previous knowledge and also added new insights into the role of the host epigenome and transcriptome and their interactions with the mucosal microbiota.

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

Novel techniques in microbiota research: From meta-omics to single cells

Jakob ZimmermannDr.  Jakob Zimmermann, University of Bern, Switzerland will highlight "Novel techniques in microbiota research: From meta-omics to single cells" during Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.
 
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According to Dr Jakob Zimmermann: "Recent advances in next generation sequencing have vastly increased our knowledge about composition and functional potential of the intestinal microbiota.
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While meta-genomic and -transcriptomic approaches have provided fundamental new insight into host-microbiota mutualism, they do not deliver information on the single cell level or allow for further functional, e.g. metabolomic characterization of the bacteria.
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In my talk, I will briefly summarize recent developments in alternative, complementary approaches, such as cultivating previously “unculturable” bacteria. In particular, I will introduce our novel approach of FACS-sorting viable bacteria from a defined murine intestinal microbiota based on genome size and light-scattering for downstream functional and metabolomic analyses."
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For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

The ISM Scientific Contribution Award 2017 was discerned to Prof. Paul Forsythe

Prof. Paul ForsytheThe Scientific Committee of the 5th World Congress on Targeting Microbiota, which was held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017 awarded Prof. Paul Forsythe from McMaster University, Canada for his scientific contribution in the world of microbiota.

During Targeting Microbiota 2017, Prof. Forsythe gave a presentation about "The microbiota-gut-brain axis: modulation by probiotics and antibiotics".

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Microbiota and autoimmune diseases: a shield or a sword?

Filippo Canducci Microbiota Congress2016During the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017, Dr. Filippo Canducci from University of Insubria, Italy will present his study related to "Microbiota and autoimmune diseases: a shield or a sword?" .

According to Dr. Filippo Canducci: "In many autoimmune conditions an altered gut microbial composition is frequently observed.  This raises the question whether the reduction of protective microbes or the increase of pathobionts can influence host immune responses or may trigger or sustain the autoimmune condition. Moreover, a detailed species or strain-level identification may be necessary together with the microbiome analysis at different body sites in the gut to better understand the pathogeneses of autoimmune diseases and to plan preventive or therapeutic strategies."

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

What is the role of nasal microbiota in respiratory recurrent infections (RRI)?

Desiderio Passali Targeting microbiotaProf. Desiderio Passali, from University of Siena, Italy will present his studies on the “Role of nasal Microbiota in respiratory recurrent infections (RRI)” during the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to Prof. Passali, the presence of a normal naso-sinusal microbial ecosystem, the so called nasal microbiota, is the mainstay for a good homeostasis of respiratory tract.

An imbalance of the nasal microbiota can lead to upper respiratory recurrent infections, which represent the most common illnesses in the patient outsetting.

Special interest grow up in the last years on possible approaches to restore the nasal microbiota. In this context, the topical administration of bacterial species belonging to the healthy human nasal microbiota can offers great benefits for the patient, contributing to the re-colonization process, re-establishing microbial balance, and reducing the level of potential pathogens and could represent a valid alternative to antibiotic.

In particular, the combination of two α-hemolytic streptococci, S. salivarius 24SMB and S. oralis 89a, was able to interfere, in vitro, with the biofilm formation capacity of pathogenic strains of the upper airway; moreover, this combination, resulted able, in various clinical trials, to significantly reduce the recurrence rates of upper respiratory infections.

For more information: www.targeting-microbiota.com

Intestinal microbiota and primary sclerosing cholangitis: Presentation of the recent scientific advances

Johhanes HovDr. Johannes Espolin Roksund Hov, from Oslo University Hospital, Norway will present his study related to "Intestinal microbiota and primary sclerosing cholangitis" during the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to him: "Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic presumably autoimmune inflammatory disease of the biliary tree, often leading to endstage liver disease or incurable cancer of the bile ducts. No effetive medical treatment is available. Up to 80% of the patients have concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, making PSC the ultimate model of disturbances in the gut-liver axis. Does the key to the development - and also the treatment of the disease - lie in the gut? I will review the latest evidence of a role of the gut microbiota in PSC and discuss possible pathogenetic concepts​, which may also be relevant in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in general."

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

Human Gut Microbiota : from structure to functions

Herve BlottiereDr. Hervé Blottière from INRA, Micalis Institute and Metagenopolis, Université Paris-Saclay, France will present his study related to "Human Gut Microbiota : from structure to functions" during the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to him: "The intestinal microbiota is of great complexity. The metagenomic approach has allowed rapid advancement in characterizing the genetic and genomic diversity of our microbiota. The exhaustive sequencing of the intestinal microbiota of hundreds of healthy individuals, but also that of patients suffering from various pathologies demonstrated the importance of a symbiosis between the microbiota and its host. Dysbiosis of this ecosystem was associated with several diseases, revealing bacterial species as signatures of the patient's condition. An innovative functional metagenomic approach has been implemented allowing to identify bacterial genes and molecules / metabolites involved in this cross talk. The cutting-edge characterization of our other genome, our metagenome, remains a crucial step in the full understanding of the human body."

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

Role of the skin microbiota in human health and disease: Dr Markus Egert was awarded for his scientific contribution

Microbiota

During the 2nd Symposium on Skin Microbiota, Dr Markus Egert from the Faculty of Medical & Life Sciences (MLS), Institute for Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany gave a concise overview about "More than skin-deep: the role of the skin microbiota in human health and disease". This strategic presentation was awarded by the scientific contribution from the scientific committee.

According to Dr Egert: "The human skin is one of the largest and most versatile organs of the human body. Owing to its function as a protective interface between the largely sterile interior of the human body and the highly microbially contaminated outer environment, it is densely colonized with a diverse and active microbiota. Today, this skin microbiota is recognized as an important driver of human health and well-being. It is influenced by many host and environmental factors and interacts closely with the skin immune system. Although cause and effect might be difficult to discriminate, changes in skin microbiota structure and function clearly play a role in the pathobiology of many skin diseases and cosmetic disorders, such as body odor production. Hence, treatment and prevention strategies have to respect this role, rendering pre- and probiotic and even transplantation therapies an additional option to the use of antibiotics. Key questions in the field of skin microbiota research deal with (a) a deeper understanding of the structure (species inventory) and function (physiology) of the healthy human skin microbiota in space and time, (b) the distinction of resident and transient skin microbiota members, (c) the distinction of beneficial skin microorganisms from microorganisms or communities with an adverse or sickening effect on their hosts, (d) factors shaping the skin microbiota and its functional role in health and disease, (e) strategies to manipulate the skin microbiota for therapeutic reasons."

Testimal from Dr Egert: "I definitely enjoyed the ISM Skin Microbiota meeting very much, and I certainly felt very honored to receive the speaker award. Overall, the presentations were very carefully selected and provided a good overview about state-of-the-art topics and new products in the field of skin microbiota research. The meeting was also an excellent opportunity for networking. Personally, I feel that skin microbiota research is still lagging a bit behind gut microbiota research, e.g. regarding the functionality of the microbiota and its (functional) involvement in human health and disease. For instance, while it very clear that butyrate (by fueling the colonocytes) plays a crucial role for the human intestinal homeostasis, similar knowledge about the role of skin microbiota metabolites is still largely missing. Here, more research is needed, in particular because metabolites might be used much easier as therapeutics or in skin care products than living microorganisms."

If you would like to have more information about skin microbiota symposium, please follow this link.

Dysbiosis profiling and pediatric diseases: pattern correlations and bacterial dysfuntions.

Lorenza Putignani

Dr. Lorenza Putignani from Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Italy will present her study of "Dysbiosis profiling and pediatric diseases: pattern correlations and bacterial dysfuntions." during 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to her: "Programming in early life is associated to microbial ecology and chronological succession of competitive microbial communities. The assessment of eubiotic profiling in childhood needs to consider onset and modification of gut microbiota through development stages. Regardless these large modifications, microbiota profiling associated to pediatric diseases is very robust and stable, depending on age and geographic patterns. Fixed these parameters, dysbiotic levels can be defined and computed in childhood, providing an excellent  example of microbiota profiling".

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

Probiotics as potential therapeutics in the management of metabolic syndrome

Ryo Aoki Targeting MicrobiotaDr. Ryo Aoki from Ezaki Glico, Tokyo, Japan will present his study of  "Probiotics as potential therapeutics in the management of metabolic syndrome" during 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to him: "Obesity is becoming a global epidemic, and a major contributor to increased incidence of serious chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Recent interest in the gut microbiota has reinforced the concept that our colonic bacteria may not simply reflect lifestyle choices such as diet, but they can also influence energy metabolism. Several studies show that obesity leads to the composition shift of gut microbiota in both mice and humans. In addition, it is revealed that microbial metabolites including short-chain fatty acids have distinct actions relevant to energy homoeostasis. Thus, modulation of the gut microbiota by probiotics treatment is considered an emerging strategy for controlling body weight and insulin sensitivity. This presentation will focus on the effects of probiotics treatment on obesity and on the underlying mechanisms in order to elucidate the properties of probiotics involved in the anti-obesity effects."

For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

Diet-microbe interactions and their impact to cardiometabolic health

Federico ReyDr. Federico Rey, from University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA will present his study related to "Diet-microbe interactions and their impact to cardiometabolic health" during the 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

According to him: "Whole-grains, vegetables and fruits confer protection against metabolic and cardiovascular disease. The beneficial effects associated with these dietary components are at least in part mediated by end products of gut microbial metabolism, including short chain fatty acids, and metabolites derived from flavonoids, which are found at high levels in these diets. Conversely, gut microbes can also transform otherwise beneficial dietary compounds into metabolites that are harmful for the host [...] We are studying how microbes metabolize nutrients, how they interact with each other as a function of diet and host genotype and how these interactions impact health. I will illustrate our approaches focusing our recent studies aimed at defining the interrelationships between dietary choline, the gut microbiota and the host levels of choline, TMAO and host health."

For more information about Targeting Microbiota Congress, which will be held in Berlin on October 26-27, 2017: www.microbiota-site.com

Hemodynamic effects of hydrogen sulfide, indole and tmao - gut bacteria-derived molecules: the role of the gut-blood barrier

Marcin Ufnal

Dr. Marcin Ufnal from Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, will talk about  gut bacteria and the role of the gut-blood barrier during 5th Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

 "Gut bacteria produces numerous biologically active molecules which cross the gut-blood barrier and target blood vessels, the heart and other organs involved in the regulation of the circulatory system. In our laboratory we have found that hypertension is associated with an increased permeability of the colon to gut bacteria metabolites and that intracolonic administration of several gut bacteria-derived molecules significantly affects arterial blood pressure. In this paper I will present studies showing cardiovascular effects of microbiota-derived compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, indole and methylamines. Besides the effect of cardiovascular diseases on the gut-blood barrier will be discussed."

For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

Cleveland Clinic’s Microbiome Center - Multiple Faculty Positions

Cleveland

 

The Cleveland Clinic is building a new Center focused on the microbiome, its involvement in human health, and its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions. We are seeking highly qualified investigators who use definitive approaches to understand the nature of the microbiome and its impact on host physiology and disease susceptibility. Basic, translational and clinical investigators who are leaders in the field of microbiome-related research are sought to help build this new center. In addition, highly promising early career investigators with microbiome-related research interests are encouraged to apply. Candidates are also sought with expertise in areas related to microbiology, including, but not limited to, microbe-microbe interactions, gut-organ interactions, microbial enzymology and biochemistry, bacteriophage therapy and gnotobiotics.

Individuals will receive faculty appointments at the appropriate level (Assistant, Associate, or Full) in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine. New recruits will join a highly collaborative environment with outstanding opportunities for interactions with basic and translational investigators, as well as with clinicians from multiple specialties. Outstanding facilities, generous start-up funds, and ongoing operational support will be provided.

The Lerner Research Institute, with nearly 200 independent investigators in 10 departments and an annual budget of >$240 million, has a commitment to excellence in basic, translational and clinical research, with an emphasis on interactive, collaborative research. Faculty are members of the Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and may join other Programs, providing access to excellent Ph.D. students enrolled in well-developed training programs.

Candidates should submit a complete curriculum vitae and brief statement of research interests by email to: Mr. Michael Piccirillo, [email protected].


The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer in a smoke/drug free environment

Lactobacilli Modulate Epithelial Cytoprotection through the Nrf2 Pathway

Jones rheinallt targeting microbiotaProf. Rheinallt M. Jones from Emory University School of Medicine, USA will talk about "Lactobacilli Modulate Epithelial Cytoprotection through the Nrf2 Pathway" during Targeting Microbiota World Congress 2017.

"The next phase of microbiome-related studies must focus on the identification of the functional molecular elements that mediate the positive influence of a eubiotic microbiome on health and disease. We demonstrated that contact between the gut epithelia and lactobacilli prompts the rapid accumulation of enzymatically generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) within host cells. ROS have been shown to function as second messengers in many signal transduction pathways via the transient oxidative activity on sensor proteins bearing oxidant-sensitive thiol groups. Examples of redox sensitive proteins sensitive to lactobacilli-induced ROS generation include tyrosine phosphatases that serve as regulators of MAPK pathways, focal adhesion kinase, as well as components involved NF-kB activation. This presentation will focus on the mechanisms whereby probiotic lactobacilli modulate the ROS-sensitive and cytoprotective Nrf2 signaling pathway in the intestine of Drosophila and mammals."

For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

Microbiota and chronic under nutrition: A strategic presentation by Pr François Leulier

Franois Leulier MicrobiotaPr François Leulier from the Institute of Functional Genomique at Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Lyon, France will review the current knowledge and their recent work on the interconnection between malnutrition, intestinal microbiota, juvenile growth and glucose metabolism.

Then Pr Leulier will shed light on our preclinical work using insect and murine models about the functional relevance of interventions using qualified lactobacilli strains to buffer the deleterious effect of malnutrition on juvenile growth and glucose metabolism. Finally, he will illustrate their current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying such effects.

For more information: www.microbiota-site.com

 

Microbiota in the Press & Media

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