TRAIN Scholar James Head's Blog

Presentation by ASU student Ainsley Chapman of review paper “The influence of the microbiome on allergic sensitization to food” Plunkett et al., J Immunol. 2017, 198(2): 581–589. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601266. The Influence of the Microbiome on Allergic Sensitization to Food (wpmucdn.com) An increase in allergy prevalence in recent years was too great to be explained by genetics alone. The increase was most noticeable in developed countries concurrent with sanitation improvements, dietary changes, and antibiotic use. Dysbiosis caused by these changes may be to blame. Regulator T cells "Tregs", when triggered, calm and quiet the immune response. Byproducts of bacteria contain some of the triggers for Tregs. With changes in diet, antibiotic use and sanitation, the microbiome is altered.   The host, now missing certain bacteria, is also missing the associated triggers for Tregs, leading to susceptibility to food and other allergies/sensitivities.  Tregs are also found in oth

  Presentation by ASU student Anton Sachs of the original paper “CFTR dysregulation drives active selection of the gut microbiome” Meeker et al., PLoS Pathog, 2020, 16(1):e1008251. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008251. https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1008251 Cystic Fibrosis is a disease caused by mutations to the CTFR gene. These mutations cause the body to secrete a thick and sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and obstructs the pancreas, as well as causing GI issues such as malabsorption. CF drastically shortens life span. There is no known cure at this time. Observations showed a difference between fecal biota of CF and non-CF patients. The goal of this study was to determine if the microbiome was altered due to the gene mutation via mucus, or by other means such as the medications CF patients take. What the study determined was that the gene mutation and associated conditions could alter the microbiome without assistance from other influences.

Presentation given by Richard Ricketts on the research paper “Emergent simplicity in microbial community assembly” Goldford et al. Science, 2018, 3;361(6401):469-474. doi: 10.1126/science.aat1168. Emergent simplicity in microbial community assembly | Science (sciencemag.org) The research attempts to understand the symbiosis between species of bacteria. If we were to imagine several types of bacteria all fighting over the same food supply, we might expect to see one species starve out the rest. What research has shown is that bacteria are able to feed off the metabolites of other bacteria, allowing all to thrive.   In a colony of a few hundred varieties, the feeding structure can get complex. This research attempts to isolate and determine which varieties can feed off each other in order to construct a mathematical model. With this knowledge we may be able to propagate and control a healthy microbiome. It could help illuminate  the root cause of some dysbioses, or potentially starve o

As part of the microbiome supergroup, I was given the assignment to do a presentation with a research partner on the gut microbiome. I was tasked with doing a general review, while my partner will present on a more specific topic in relation. One of the things I came across in my research is the possibility of a prenatal microbiome. Popular belief has been that we are sterile until birth. New research suggests that small niches of bacteria may exist inside the fetus, potentially aiding growth and development.  The article admittedly stated more research is needed before these thing could be stated with any certainty, but the potential for new insight is very exciting. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306741/