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Bacterial Genomics and Metagenomics
The composition of the human intestinal microbial metagenome, or microbiome, is variable between individuals, and in individuals with functional bowel disorders. Genomic and metagenomic approaches offer unique opportunities to understand the role of microbes in health and in GI disorders such as IBS, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Commensal organisms that have probiotic properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-infective activities, provide tractable models to identify bacterial proteins, pathways, structures and metabolites that impact on the host and the microbiota. As the molecular players involved in these interactions are largely unknown, Core 4 links the genome-based analysis of probiotic bacteria with their metabolism, phenotype and ecological impact in the microbiota of model systems.
Functional metagenomics provides a means to access the total microbiome, including the unculturable bacteria, and to isolate novel functions. Its main advantage is that it provides a set of functionally active molecules, rather than DNA sequences. These molecules can be active enzymes, proteins which interact with other microbes or host cells or bioactive molecules. Thus, we use functional metagenomics to bioprospect the human gut microbiome for novel proteins and (small) molecules with the potential to influence host health.
Investigators:
| Biosciences Institute University College Cork Ireland email: apc@ucc.ie |
Moorepark Food Research Centre Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork Ireland |
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