Description du projet
Le microbiote et le transfert horizontal de gènes
Les microbes sont connectés au système immunitaire, c’est pourquoi le fait de modifier la composition et la fonction du microbiote intestinal (MI) pourrait améliorer la santé. Changer la représentation des espèces par le biais de modifications alimentaires ou du mode de vie peut s’avérer difficile en raison des faibles effets des facteurs qui influencent la composition du MI. La sélection de l’hôte et la concurrence entre les microbes résidents limitent la greffe de la souche, nécessaire pour que les transferts fécaux et les cocktails probiotiques soient efficaces. L’objectif du projet MiMoZa, financé par l’UE, consiste à déterminer les taux de transfert horizontal de gènes (THG) de fonctions spécifiques au sein du microbiote intestinal. Les chercheurs entendent déterminer les taux de THG dans l’intestin animal en conditions naturelles et améliorées par le THG. Ils prévoient de mettre au point des méthodes pour examiner le THG dans des ensembles de données métagénomiques et déterminer l’importance relative des facteurs qui influencent le THG.
Objectif
My goal is to determine horizontal gene transfer (HGT) rates of specific functions within the gut microbiome. The microbes on and within our bodies, especially within our gastro-intestinal tract, are intimately connected with our immune system and promote health in myriad ways. Altering our gut microbiota (GM) composition and/or function might thus improve health. My research in the Jeroen Raes lab led to the realization that changing species abundances through dietary or lifestyle modulation may be difficult because of the small effect sizes of the factors influencing GM composition (e.g. diet, medication, or transit time). In addition, host-selection and competition of resident microbes, might limit the strain engraftment necessary for the effect of fecal transfers and probiotic cocktails. Despite initial successes (e.g. C. difficile infection treatment), current modulation strategies might therefore be less successful with other conditions. I contacted Ilana Brito, in order to find out whether HGT - a process in which prokaryotes exchange genetic material - may serve as an alternative way to modulate the residing GM. Little is known about the features that affect HGT rates within natural environments nor the role of selection in that process. If these were well-understood, it would allow to assess the possibilities of extending the gut microbiome with additional functions. During my research stay, I will experimentally determine HGT rates within the animal gut under natural and HGT-enhancing conditions. In addition, I will develop methods to examine HGT in metagenomic datasets and determine the relative importance of the factors influencing HGT (selective pressure, host health and DNA delivery method). The knowledge generated through this MSCA-fellowship will stimulate the development of novel GM modulation strategies and will have important implications for human health and agricultural policies (e.g. antibiotic use, spread of transgenes).
Champ scientifique
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinateur
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgique