Mohamed Abou Donia, a Princeton University professor, has made significant contributions to understanding the role of the microbiome in host health and disease outcomes. His work involves mapping microbiome-encoded genes involved in drug metabolism, revealing the potential for harnessing these molecules to treat human diseases.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that a specific bacterium in mom's milk can educate an infant's antibody response, potentially strengthening their immune system. The findings suggest that probiotics could be used to protect infants from enteric infections and autoimmune diseases.
Scientists have identified a range of microbiome species never before detected in human milk, which change significantly between early and late lactation. These bacteria are thought to protect the infant gastrointestinal tract and improve aspects of long-term health, such as allergy prevention and toxin resistance.
Research ties oral health issues to systemic diseases like type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease, highlighting the importance of a healthy mouth. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can prevent oral diseases and promote overall well-being.
A Northwestern University study found that bacteria on used toothbrushes reflect microbial communities in the mouth and skin, not the toilet. The research, published in Microbiome journal, suggests that microbes from the human body are transferred to toothbrushes through saliva and other bodily fluids.
A new study identified novel metabolites and specific gut bacteria distinguishing healthy from food-allergic twin pairs. The research found that certain bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium faecium and Ruminococccus bromii, played a protective role against food allergies.
A study has found that certain types of mouth bacteria are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in non-smokers. The findings suggest that a wider range of bacterial species is linked to a lower risk, while specific types like Firmicutes and Spirochaetes may contribute to heightened risk.
Researchers have developed a new definition of sustainability that recognizes the interdependence of living beings and their wellbeing, expanding the concept to non-human species and their needs. This new approach has wide-ranging applications in fields such as landscape planning and urban greenspace design, aiming to enhance human-wil...
A new cost-effective technique, PNA clamps, has been developed to study non-bacterial plant microbiomes. This method allows researchers to detect thousands of sequences from rare microorganisms that were previously undetectable.
Researchers analyzed seven Da Vinci drawings using Nanopore sequencing, finding a dominance of bacteria over fungi, with many exhibiting human or insect microbiomes. The study also identified human DNA, likely introduced by restoration workers, and correlations with geographical location.
Researchers found that an immune protein in squid controls the movement of immune cells to deliver nutrients to bacteria, influencing daily rhythms. This discovery could provide clues on factors affecting human microbiome rhythms and has implications for understanding symbiotic systems.
Researchers discovered that single-celled eukaryotes like microalgae can control microbiomes by secreting unusual small molecules, maintaining host survival and ecological success. This finding paves the way for future research into climate change and understanding of evolution.
Researchers found that feeding C-section newborns their mother's feces in breast milk builds a healthier gut microbiome, similar to those born vaginally. The babies' immune systems mature rapidly after receiving the fecal microbiota transplant, suggesting a potential reduction in asthma and allergy risk.
Greg Caporaso, director of the Center for Applied Microbiome Science, has been awarded a $3.75 million grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to build software capable of analyzing and archiving data focused on the interplay between the human microbiome and diverse types of cancer.
The review highlights the need for clear scientific and pharmaceutical standards when developing live biotherapeutic products. Key challenges include ensuring quality, demonstrating safety, and evaluating efficacy. The PRI's publication provides a framework for stakeholders in microbiome-based product development.
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered a small molecule named Streptosactin, which exhibits fratricidal activity in the human microbiome. This is the first time a small molecule has been found to kill its own kind.
Researchers developed a sensitive and specific early warning system for predicting NEC using stool microbiome features combined with clinical and demographic information. The pilot study showed optimal performance from a gated attention-based multiple instance learning approach.
Researchers found significantly less microbial diversity and richness in humpback whales' respiratory microbiota during the return leg of their migration, suggesting they were likely in poorer health. This study provides new insights into using airway microbiota as a non-invasive method for monitoring whale health.
Researchers have comprehensively described the human tissue virome atlas using next-generation sequencing technology. They detected 39 viral species in somatic tissues from 547 individuals and found associations between virus infection and human gene expression and disease onset.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found that the order of microorganisms colonizing plants has a significant impact on microbiome composition and disease susceptibility. This discovery could provide farmers with important tools to combat plant diseases and maintain crop diversity.
Scientists discovered that Staphylococcus epidermidis interacts with the immune system to promote wound healing and prevent inflammation. The study's findings may lead to therapies for conditions like atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases, affecting millions worldwide.
A new study found that certain gut bacteria, such as Blautia obeum, can deactivate the disease-causing mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae, preventing it from colonizing the intestines. Increasing levels of this bacterium in the gut may provide a natural defense against cholera.
A team of researchers has discovered a species of gut bacteria that can affect cholesterol levels in humans. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics, such as probiotics or enzyme delivery to the gut, to help people manage their blood cholesterol levels.
A Rutgers-driven proposal to create a 'microbial Noah's ark' is feasible and should move forward into a pilot project phase, according to a new study. The Microbiota Vault would gather beneficial germs from human populations with uncompromised microbiomes to address global health problems caused by modern society.
A study found that revegetated urban green spaces have more native plant species and greater microbiota diversity, similar to natural environments. This can lead to improved immune function and reduced non-communicable diseases. Urban design principles could be influenced by the environmental microbiome to create healthier public spaces.
The June 2020 issue of Journal of Dental Research explores the latest research on the oral microbiome, highlighting rapid progress in understanding its dynamics. The papers cover topics such as analyzing microbial communities, cultivating species, and their connections to oral health conditions like cancer and diabetes.
Researchers developed CoproID, a reliable method to distinguish between human and dog feces based on ancient host DNA and microbiome composition. This technique enables the investigation of changes in the human gut microbiome throughout time, shedding light on food intolerances and other health issues.
Researchers propose a new approach to understanding individuality in biology using Information Theory, focusing on dynamical processes and environmental influences. This perspective suggests that individuals are best thought of as continuous, emergent entities rather than stationary objects.,
Researchers developed a new method using Microbiome Search Engine to analyze health data, identifying disease-associated microbe outliers for quicker diagnoses. The approach outperforms traditional models, providing promising results for microbiome-based big data-based diagnosis.
A new study suggests that our ancestors' gut microbiomes were critical for their survival in new environments, allowing them to digest and detoxify local food sources. The findings also imply that social sharing of microbes might have led to local adaptations, influencing human migration and settlement.
A new study has found that researchers can accurately predict a person's chronological age using machine learning algorithms and microbiome samples. The study analyzed data from over 4,400 participants across various body sites, including skin, saliva, and feces, and found significant gender-specific differences in gut microbiome results.
Research suggests that lung bacteria can predict clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, with certain bacteria associated with worse outcomes and the presence of gut-associated bacteria found in the lungs. The study's findings have implications for developing new therapies to prevent and treat critical illness.
Researchers found that human fetal lung microbiomes show changes in diversity during fetal development, with some taxonomic overlap between the placental and lung microbiomes. The study suggests that maternal-fetal microbial DNA transfer may play a role in normal lung and immune system development.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed new computational and experimental tools to identify microbial small molecules encoded in clinical samples. This allows scientists to explore microbial-host interactions and mine the human microbiome for drug discovery, revealing potential antibiotics and insights into human-microbe in...
Scientists at Colorado State University are using human bone remains to study predictable postmortem microbes, which can help estimate the time since death. The research aims to improve forensic science by using microbial communities to measure decomposition.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley, identified a core microbiome in commercial tomatoes that is robust and stable. The researchers used experimental evolution to select for microbes that best survived on the plants, resulting in a healthy plant microbiome.
Researchers found that germ-free mouse lungs developed better under high oxygen conditions than non-germ-free mice, with decreased inflammation and improved lung function. This discovery may help develop therapeutic interventions for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from over 1,000 African herbivores to understand the relationship between diet, environment, and gut microbiome. They found that closely related species had similar microbiomes and diets, while domesticated animals like cattle had more sensitive seasonal changes in their microbiomes.
Researchers found city homes to have a higher diversity of chemicals and fungi, while jungle huts had fresher air and natural materials that promote human health. Exposure to outdoor germs and natural materials may benefit the human microbiome.
A recent study has confirmed that a fetus has its own microbiome, which is transmitted from the mother. This finding opens up potential interventions during pregnancy to stimulate the fetal microbiome and improve preemie growth and immune system.
Researchers found special sensory cells in the gums that detect irritants and bacteria, triggering an immune response to control oral microbiome. The discovery could lead to personalized dental treatments against gum disease.
Researchers developed a computational algorithm to identify biologically active small molecules encoded in human microbiome-derived sequencing data. They uncovered novel TII-PKS BGCs with antimicrobial activity against neighboring microbes, as well as anti-cancer effects, in samples from diverse countries.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a method to isolate specific microbes from complex human oral microbiome samples using antibody engineering. They successfully isolated three different species of TM7 and another uncultivated bacterial group, SR1.
A new study reveals that cooking food fundamentally alters the microbiomes of both mice and humans. Cooking raw foods can harm certain microbes, while cooked foods may be more calorie-dense, affecting gut bacteria. In a human trial, participants showed significant changes in their microbiome after switching between raw and cooked diets.
A comparative microbiome study has identified significant differences in the composition of microbial communities between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The researchers suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in the evolutionary transition from purely aquatic life to life on land.
A team of researchers at George Washington University published a comprehensive list of the types and ratios of microbes that inhabit a healthy human gut, known as GutFeelingKB. This database will serve as a reference for doctors, patients, and researchers, providing an understanding of what constitutes a 'normal' human microbiome.
Researchers investigate the microbiome of Stentor coeruleus and find a distinct bacterial community associated with the ciliate. The study reveals that different ciliates can host unique bacterial populations, highlighting the importance of further research into protistan microbiomes.
The study analyzed DNA sequencing data from over 3,500 human microbiome samples, revealing nearly 46 million bacterial genes. More than half of these genes were unique to each individual, performing specialized functions and suggesting a key role in microbial evolution.
Researchers found tens of thousands of new protein families, likely involved in intercellular communication and warfare, among others. These small proteins may serve as new antibiotics or drugs for human use.
A new study created lab mice by implanting embryos from laboratory animals into wild mice, resulting in a model that accurately predicts human response to drugs. This novel approach has the potential to improve translational research value for immunology, potentially preventing failed clinical trials.
A CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy professor has received a $2.1 million NIH grant to investigate the connection between the human microbiome and cancer, with the goal of developing more effective treatments.
A study by San Diego State University researcher Rob Edwards found a country-specific biomarker for the crAssphage virus in humans, which rapidly changes with travel. The research analyzed over 32,000 sequences from 65 countries and revealed the phage's global distribution.
Researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and S-Biomedic demonstrated the use of living bacteria to temporarily modulate skin microbiome composition. The study, published in Microbiome, found that probiotic solutions from donor microbiomes can be applied to recipients, leading to a shift towards a healthier microbiome state.
Researchers found that maternal exposure to sucralose and acesulfame-K during pregnancy and lactation led to altered intestinal flora and liver toxicity in mouse pups. The study suggests that artificial sweeteners may be safe for adults when used in moderation, but not a substitute for sugar.
Researchers discovered that Veillonella bacteria in elite athletes' gut microbiomes can enhance exercise performance in mice by breaking down lactate and producing propionate, a short-chain fatty acid. This breakthrough paves the way for highly-validated performance-enhancing probiotics.
Research found that ocean water exposure can alter the diversity and composition of human skin microbiome, leaving individuals more susceptible to infections. Vibrio species were detected on every participant after swimming, with a significant affinity for attachment to human skin.
A study examining oral bacterial microbiome composition in children aged 1 to 12 found that species richness increased with age in both supragingival and subgingival plaque. The results suggest a common pattern of maturing microbial communities, becoming more complex with advancing age and including a stable core of major species.
A new study reveals that the correlation between food consumption and gut microbiome changes is not as straightforward as previously thought. Researchers found that considering the relationships between foods can reveal stronger associations between dietary nutrients and specific strains of microbes.
A UCLA-led research team developed FEAST, a faster and more accurate tool to determine microbiome origins. The software can analyze large genetic information datasets in just a few hours, offering insights into the unseen ecological processes affecting human health.
Researchers Nicolae Morar and Brendan J. M. Bohannan examine five common conceptual frameworks describing the human microbiome, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks. The study suggests a pragmatic approach considering all metaphors to explore therapies for diseases and disorders.