Obiettivo After birth we are colonized by a consortium of bacteria that are critical for health. Bifidobacteria represent pioneer members, and reach high levels within the gut microbiota of breast-fed infants. These bacteria are proposed to be critical for establishing ‘healthy’ microbiota development and immune defense; however the mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesize that breast-milk metabolism by Bifidobacteria provides microbial-derived metabolic products key to promoting stable colonisation of other members in the microbiota, suggesting a mechanism as to why formula-fed infants have an altered microbiota and associated increased risk to a variety of diseases. This MCSA seeks to elucidate the function of Bifidobacteria with host diet, by developing a model colon ecosystem colonised with defined infant bacterial isolates to identify key bifidobacterial-derived metabolic byproducts that differ between breast milk and formula metabolism using cutting-edge metabolic tracer experiments and [13C]-Bifidobacteria pseudocatenulatum. Aim 2 will determine the genomic and regulatory elements in B. pseudocatenulatum required for adaption/metabolism of breast-milk or infant formula in the model colon via construction of a genome-wide mutant library generated by high through-put transposon mutagenesis. Metabolites identified in aim 1 will be linked to specific bifidobacterial gene function, based on the identity of essential mutants unable to grow in the presence of breast-milk (aim 2). We will also determine how host diet impacts microbiota composition in the model ecosystem, by monitoring microbial diversity by 16S rRNA analysis. Finally, to promote a ‘healthy’ microbiota, identified breast-milk metabolites will be used to supplement the formula fed model. This research will provide critical insight into the function and mechanism of how infant diet impacts bifidobacteria colonisation, with the potential to identify key bifidobacterial-metabolites that promote life-long health. Campo scientifico medical and health sciencesclinical medicineobstetricspostnatal caremedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepaediatrics Programma(i) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Argomento(i) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Invito a presentare proposte H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinatore QUADRAM INSTITUTE BIOSCIENCE Contribution nette de l'UE € 152 879,00 Indirizzo Quadram institute bioscience norwich research park NR4 7UQ Norwich Regno Unito Mostra sulla mappa Regione East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk Tipo di attività Research Organisations Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Partecipazione a programmi di R&I dell'UE Opens in new window Rete di collaborazione HORIZON Opens in new window Costo totale € 152 879,00 Partecipanti (1) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo netto dell'UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA Partecipazione conclusa Regno Unito Contribution nette de l'UE € 30 575,80 Indirizzo Earlham road NR4 7TJ Norwich Mostra sulla mappa Regione East of England East Anglia Norwich and East Norfolk Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Partecipazione a programmi di R&I dell'UE Opens in new window Rete di collaborazione HORIZON Opens in new window Costo totale € 30 575,80