The Microbiome Project News and Research

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The human microbiome refers to the entire community of microorganisms that live on or in the human body. More specifically, it refers to all of the genes in these microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.

Microbial DNA may be involved in the development of autoimmune processes, shows study

The interactions of the gut microbiota in children with typical diabetes autoantibodies differ from that in healthy children. The fact that these differences already exist before antibodies are detectable in the blood adds to the growing evidence that microbial DNA, the so-called microbiome, may be involved in the development of autoimmune processes.

13 Mar 2014

Metabolon agrees to provide biochemical profiling services to Human Longevity

Metabolon, Inc., the world's leading commercial-stage metabolomics company, announces the signing of an agreement with newly-launched Human Longevity Inc., whereby Metabolon will provide biochemical profiling services to assist HLI in its mission to tackle diseases of aging by building the world's largest and most complete human genotype, microbiome and phenotype database.

5 Mar 2014

Protein M: an interview with Rajesh Grover, PhD, senior staff scientist, Lerner laboratory, TSRI

Protein M is a cell surface protein from Mycoplasma Genitalium that binds to all human antibodies.

26 Feb 2014

Researchers use new tools to measure and track B-12 vitamins in the ocean

The phrase, 'Eat your vitamins,' applies to marine animals just like humans. Many vitamins, including B-12, are elusive in the ocean environment.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers discover 'microbial Pompeii' preserved on teeth of skeletons around 1,000 years old

An international team of researchers have discovered a 'microbial Pompeii' preserved on the teeth of skeletons around 1,000 years old. The key to the discovery is the dental calculus (plaque) which preserves bacteria and microscopic particles of food on the surfaces of teeth, effectively creating a mineral tomb for microbiomes.

24 Feb 2014

Study uncovers how gut bacteria metabolize complex dietary carbohydrates in fruits, vegetables

We are all aware of the health benefits of dietary fiber. But what is dietary fiber and how do we metabolize it?

13 Feb 2014

Researchers share findings on relations between gut flora and obesity

Cutting-edge European research presented at the 2014 AAAS meeting in Chicago. Three leading European researchers on the gut microbiome will be present at the 2014 AAAS meeting, on Saturday 15 February, to share their recent findings on the relations between gut flora and obesity, diabetes, and cardio-metabolic diseases in general.

11 Feb 2014

Comprehensive supplement released on Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference

The Annals of the American Thoracic Society has released a comprehensive supplement on the 56th annual Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference entitled "The Lung Microbiome: A New Frontier in Pulmonary Medicine."

24 Jan 2014

Research shows how coevolution between humans and bacteria can affect gastric cancer risk

Research carried out in two distinct communities in Colombia illustrates how coevolution between humans and bacteria can affect a person's risk of disease. Working with colleagues in Columbia and the U.S., Scott Williams, PhD, a professor of genetics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and his graduate student Nuri Kodaman discovered that the risk of developing gastric cancer depends heavily on both the ancestry of the person and the ancestry of Helicobacter pylori with which that person is infected.

15 Jan 2014

Study supports mounting evidence that inflammation may be the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis

Saint Louis University researchers have analyzed the microbiomes of people with chronic rhinosinusitis and healthy volunteers and found evidence that some chronic sinus issues may be the result of inflammation triggered by an immune response to otherwise harmless microorganisms in the sinus membranes.

20 Dec 2013

Exposure to dust from homes with dogs may alter immune response to allergens

A new study suggests that exposure to dust from homes with dogs may alter the immune response to allergens and other asthma triggers by affecting the composition of the gut microbiome-the community of microbes that naturally colonize the digestive tract.

17 Dec 2013

Research finds reduced allergy risk among children raised with dogs from birth

Children's risk for developing allergies and asthma is reduced when they are exposed in early infancy to a dog in the household, and now researchers have discovered a reason why.

17 Dec 2013

MicroBiome Therapeutics announces completion of $1.3M bridge financing

MicroBiome TherapeuticsTM LLC, today announced completion of a $1.3 million bridge financing. It is intended to support completion of the company's two ongoing clinical studies and preparations for further clinical trials of lead product NM504, a microbiome modulator in development for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The bridge financing was led by current investor BVM Capital, who was joined in the round by other existing MBT investors.

16 Dec 2013

NYSCF, PersonalGenomes.org partner to identify genetic contributions to disease development

Today, the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute and PersonalGenomes.org announced a partnership to identify genetic and environmental contributions to trait and disease development. Cell lines generated by NYSCF will complement genomic data and medical histories contributed by participants in the Harvard Personal Genome Project, creating a unique and powerful resource to help researchers identify causes of disease.

9 Dec 2013

Decreased bacterial diversity in gut linked with CRC risk

Decreased diversity in the microbial community found in the human gut is associated with colorectal cancer, according to a new study published December 6 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

9 Dec 2013

US may be losing ground as the leader in biomedical research

The United States may be losing ground as the leader in biomedical research and within the next five years will be second to China in the funds it spends for R&D, according to Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D, director of the National Institutes of Health.

27 Nov 2013

Restoring helpful bacteria of the gut and intestines may treat patients with RCDI, find scientists

Scientists at the Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and physicians at Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, have found that restoring the normal, helpful bacteria of the gut and intestines may treat patients suffering from recurrent Clostridium difficile infections. Transplanting fecal matter of healthy donors into patients with recurrent C. difficile infection appears to restore normal bacterial composition and resolve infection.

27 Nov 2013

Special issue on Helicobacter pylori provides new insights into diagnosis, prevention and treatment

A special issue on Helicobacter pylori has been published by Landes Bioscience (Austin, TX USA). The articles contained in this special issue of the journal Gut Microbes have been authored by world-class investigators and provide new insights into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of this microbe.

20 Nov 2013

New evidence shows probiotics offer enormous potential for treatment of depression

Probiotics are not new, but their status as a nutritional buzzword is. Most folks have now heard and seen the term countless times in commercials and advertisements, as yogurt, dietary supplement, natural food product, and even cosmetic companies promote their probiotic-containing products.