Development and application of high throughput molecular methods for studying the human gut microbiota in relation to diet and health

Objective

The proposal is aimed at understanding the functional interactions between food, intestinal micro flora and health. Novel methods are to be developed to understand and exploit the nutrition driven impact of the human gut micro flora on health. Since the presently used methods for micro flora analysis are time consuming and tedious, high throughput methods for the automated detection of fluorescentlylabelled cells based on microscopic image analysis, flow cytometry and DNA arrays will be developed. In site detection methods for monitoring bacterial gene expression at the cellular level will be developed to monitor the impact of dietary constituents on the transcription of bacterial genes. Samples from human populations will be analysed with the developed methods to identify key factors of micro flora development, composition and activity.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-1. - Key action Food, Nutrition and Health

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

GERMAN INSTITUTE OF HUMAN NUTRITION

Address

114-116,Arthur-scheunert-allee 114-116
14558 Bergholz-rehbruecke
Germany

Participants (6)

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

Denmark

Address

Kogle Allee 2
2970 Hoersholm

CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH

Germany

Address

Zeppelinstrasse 4
85399 Hallbergmoos

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

France

Address

Domaine De Vilvert, Bètiment 440
78352 Jouy-en-josas

MICROSCREEN BV

Netherlands

Address

L.j. Zielstraweg 1
9713 GX Groningen

UNIVERSITY OF READING

United Kingdom

Address

Early Gate 4, Whiteknights
RG6 6AP Reading

WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Hesselink Van Suchtelenweg 4
6703 CT Wageningen