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
Transcription factor Olig2 defines subpopulations of retinal progenitor cells biased toward specific cell fates
Transcription factor Olig2 defines subpopulations of retinal progenitor cells biased toward specific cell fates
Brian P. Hafler, Natalia Surzenko, Kevin T. Beier, Claudio Punzo, Jeffrey M. Trimarchi, Jennifer H. Kong, Constance L. Cepko
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 May 15; 109(20): 7882–7887. Published online 2012 April 27. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1203138109
PMCID: PMC3356608
SOX2 maintains the quiescent progenitor cell state of postnatal retinal Müller glia
SOX2 maintains the quiescent progenitor cell state of postnatal retinal Müller glia
Natalia Surzenko, Tessa Crowl, Amelia Bachleda, Lee Langer, Larysa Pevny
Development. 2013 April 1; 140(7): 1445–1456. doi: 10.1242/dev.071878
PMCID: PMC3596988
Otx2 and Onecut1 Promote the Fates of Cone Photoreceptors and Horizontal Cells and Repress Rod Photoreceptors
Otx2 and Onecut1 Promote the Fates of Cone Photoreceptors and Horizontal Cells and Repress Rod Photoreceptors
Mark M. Emerson, Natalia Surzenko, Jillian J. Goetz, Jeffrey Trimarchi, Constance L. Cepko
Dev Cell. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 July 15.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Cell. 2013 July 15; 26(1): 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.06.005. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.06.005
PMCID: PMC3819454
Understanding Nutrigenomics
March 2, 2015 • Why “good” and “bad” are irrelevant when talking about genes and nutrition
From the desk of: Mihai Niculescu, M.D., Ph.D.
…“How to override your bad genes with food.” “Can Exercise Override Bad Genes?” “Good Nutrition Can Overcome Bad Genes”…
woman drawing dnaWe are bombarded by media with these kinds of messages. The main theme, of course, is that many of us may have “bad” genes that would put us at risk of a certain poor health outcome unless we eat less of “this” and more of “that.” Knowing myself as a bearer of several such genetic variations, I almost feel, at times, guilty that I am harboring such “bad” genes, albeit without my consent.
NRI Scientist Achieves New Role
March 2, 2015 • Natalia Surzenko, Ph.D., studies the connections between nutrients and brain and eye development. Her work in this area has been as Research Scientist in the Zeisel lab since joining the NRI in 2013. In recognition of the excellence she brings to her research, Dr. Surzenko has been promoted to Research Assistant Professor.
March 2015
Free Public Presentation Registration Required–Sign Up Today The NRI's popular public event series, Appetite for Life, continues on Tuesday, March 10 with a free presentation by Patrick Stover, Ph.D., on Keeping a Hungry World Healthy: Our Changing Food...