Understanding the gut microbiome and risk of complications

A2002609

The Human Body is home to a huge number of microorganisms that co-exist providing a variety of benefits to their host. These microorganisms assist with various metabolic functions helping to provide nutrients and energy, maintain the immune system and act as a barrier to foreign and potentially harmful bacteria. 

These communities of microorganisms that exist at different sites across the human body are known as the microbiome. This study project focusses on the gut microbiome. This exists in a delicate balance and when it is disrupted (known as dysbiosis) it can have profound consequences, e.g. leaving patients particularly susceptible to healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) or colonisation with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Currently, there is no easy way to tell whether an individual might be susceptible to this. Finding ways to identify patients will allow for direct antibiotic treatments and better management of care.

Because microbiomes vary significantly between individuals, it is likely that different bacteria within the microbiome perform the same functions within different people. This can’t be detected by just by looking at DNA, the proteins and metabolites being produced also indicate what functions they are performing. This project aims to identify common markers that might indicate when an individual has dysbiosis and is therefore at risk of HCAIs or colonisation with antibiotic resistant microorganisms.  

Lead Researcher	Duncan Ewin Research Technician
Co-Researchers	Professor Mark H Wilcox Dr Anthony Buckley Dr Jane Freeman
Host Organisation	University of Leeds
Grant Amount	£8,834.00
Start Date	02/01/2024
Estimated Duration	8 months
Impact Areas	Health inequalities – Care of older people
Tags/key notes	Early Career Researcher Oral and gastrointestinal