Microbiome and Nutrition
The complex community of bacteria, yeasts and viruses living in our intestines, collectively known as the gut microbiome, is shaped, in part, by what we eat. Genetics, environment, and other factors also influence an individual’s microbial community. Research at the NRI investigates these complex relationships and their impact on disease risk. We use animal models and bioinformatics to study the associations between nutritional metabolites, gut microbiome, and health. What happens in the gut doesn’t stay in the gut. Your microbiome can play a role in cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, and even cancer. Our team envisions a future where analysis of your microbiome can determine disease risk, and medical foods can be prescribed to treat and prevent disease by regulating the microbiome.
Publications
Microbiome and Nutrition Publications
2020
Population studies of TMAO and its precursors may help elucidate mechanisms. Meyer K
2019
Association of dietary patterns with the gut microbiota in older, community-dwelling men. Meyer K
2018
Meta-analysis of human genome-microbiome association studies: the MiBioGen consortium initiative. Meyer K
Human microbiota, blood group antigens, and disease. Sumner S
2017
Trimethylamine N-Oxide, the Microbiome, and Heart and Kidney Disease. Zeisel S
2016
Diet and Gut Microbial Function in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Meyer K
Antibiotic-mediated gut microbiome perturbation accelerates development of type 1 diabetes in mice. Sumner S
Related News
Acidosis induces reprogramming of cellular metabolism to mitigate oxidative stress
“Acidosis induces reprogramming of cellular metabolism to mitigate oxidative stress”. LaMonte GM, Tang X, Chen LY, Wu J, Ding CK, Keenan MM, Sangokoya C, Kung HN, Ilkayeva O, Boros LG, Newgard CB and Chi JT (2013). Cancer & Metabolism, 1(1): 23.
A joint analysis of metabolomics and genetics of breast cancer
“A joint analysis of metabolomics and genetics of breast cancer”. Tang X, Lin CC, Spasojevic I, Iversen ES, Chi JT, Marks JR (2014). Breast Cancer Res. 16(4): 415.
A high-throughput screening method for small molecule inhibitors of the aberrant mutant SOD1 and Dynein interaction
“A high-throughput screening method for small molecule inhibitors of the aberrant mutant SOD1 and Dynein interaction”. Tang X, Seyb KI, Huang M, Schuman ER, Shi P, Zhu Z, Glicksman MA (2012). Journal of Biomolecular Screen (3): 314-26.
Functional interaction between responses to lactic acidosis and hypoxia regulates genomic transcriptional outputs
“Functional interaction between responses to lactic acidosis and hypoxia regulates genomic transcriptional outputs”. Tang X, Joseph Lucas JE, Ling-Yu J. Chen JL, LaMonte G, Wu J, Wang MC, Costantinos Koumenis Chi JT (2012). Cancer Research, 72(2): 491-502.
December 2014
Appetite for Life Public Programing Mark Your Calendar The Nutrition Research Institute's popular series of public programs, called Appetite for Life, resumes this January for a five-month run. Once each month, January through May, distinguished science researchers...
Preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
November 24, 2015 • From the desk of: David Horita, Ph.D.
THE STUDY
In a recently published paper1, NRI investigator Phil May and colleagues showed that the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS) is two to three times higher than previously estimated.
Dr. May’s study differs from most FAS prevalence studies in its use of active case ascertainment testing methods to estimate prevalence. This technique includes developmental testing of the child and detailed one-on-one interviews of the mother. The interview questions covered alcohol use during pregnancy, but also asked questions related to secondary factors, such as overall drinking history, marital status; socioeconomic status, and diet/nutrition. This approach is much more labor-intensive than the more common survey approach that relies on self-reported alcohol use information. However, it is also more accurate: self-reported alcohol usage surveys often underestimate FAS because of the stigma of drinking during pregnancy.