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Molecular mechanisms of bacterial colonisation of the lower gastrointestinal tract

Reference	BBS/E/F/00044454
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Sacha Lucchini
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,439,153
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2010
End date	31/12/2015
Duration	68 months

Abstract

The lower gastrointestinal tract is home to a large and diverse community of commensal microorganisms (the gut microbiota), which is an important factor in the maintenance of gut health. These organisms complement the digestive capabilities of their host by helping digest complex polysaccharides, participate in the development of the immune system and have an important role in protecting the host from pathogens through competitive exclusion. In turn, the host provides a stable environment and a regular supply of nutrients. However, there is increasing evidence that disorders such as metabolic syndrome, obesity and ulcerative colitis could be associated, at least in part, with imbalances in the microbiota composition. It is therefore crucial to understand the factors that regulate the gut microbiota in order to design interventions to favour the establishment of a health-promoting microbiota. Unfortunately, we have limited knowledge of the precise mechanisms that determine how successfully bacteria will colonise a host. The aim of this project is to identify and characterise the molecular mechanisms that allow commensal bacteria to colonise the lower GI-tract, with particular emphasis on how intestinal inflammation and bacterial competition can influence colonisation. To achieve the aim, we use molecular and genomic approaches in conjunction with conventional and gnotobiotic murine models to identify bacterial genes (functions) that confer a competitive advantage in presence/absence of intestinal inflammation. Using similar methods we will investigate at the molecular level how the presence of specific commensal bacteria in the GI-tract of animal models influences subsequent colonisation by other bacteria.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Diet and Health, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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