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Symbiotic gut microbes modulate human metabolic phenotypes
- M. Li, B. Wang, M. Zhang, M. Rantalainen, S. Wang, H. Zhou, Y. Zhang, J. Shen, X. Pang, M. Zhang, H. Wei, Y. Chen, H. Lu, J. Zuo, M. Su, Y. Qiu, W. Jia, C. Xiao, L. M. Smith, S. Yang, E. Holmes, H. Tang, G. Zhao, J. K. Nicholson, L. Li, L. Zhao,
- Original article citation: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105," 2117 - 2122, (2008).
- Categories: Clinical Medicine and Earth & Environment
- Recommended by: Timon Cheng-Yi Liu on 02/22/2008 01:29AM GMT
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Each of us carries a community of microorganisms in our intestinal tract that is necessary for optimal health but varies in composition from person to person. To learn which gut microbes most influence human physiology, Li et al. surveyed these symbionts in seven members of a four-generation Chinese family. By sequencing rRNA genes, they assembled a phylogenetic picture of the resident microbes-mainly Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes spp. The Chinese microbiomes showed individual and male/female differences in their composition, although all differed markedly from those seen in Americans. A parallel analysis of urine samples from the same family allowed the authors to correlate variations in resident microbes with variations in excreted metabolites, which served as a proxy for the individuals' metabolic state. They found several microbial species that appeared to significantly affect their hosts: for instance, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was associated with the presence of dimethylamine, suggested to be an indicator of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. This functional metagenomics approach can be extended by combining full genomic sequencing of the microbes with measurements of metabolic or clinical features of interest. Ultimately, the hope is to identify which gut inhabitants are associated with disease states and which with human well-being.
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Comments from the following website http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/02/06/study_maps_gut_microflora/6812/ LONDON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- A British-Chinese study has mapped the bacteria living in seven members of a Chinese family to determine the role of gut microbes in bodily processes. The researchers from Imperial College London and China's Jiao Tong University said the makeup of each person's gut microflora influences their health, with abnormalities in gut microbes linked to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. However, the relationship between different species of bacteria and different processes has previously been defined only at a broad level, the scientists said, noting that prior to their study, only five people had had their gut microflora profiled in depth, with that data being published. "Now we have developed a new way of exploring the connections between bugs and man we can hope to find a 'Rosetta Stone' to translate the functional properties of the bugs and so improve therapies to treat disorders of the gut and related conditions," said Imperial College London Professor Jeremy Nicholson, lead author of the study. The research, led by Professor Liping Zhao of Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Our body is a complex machine. Some microorganisms are essential for us to survive. In our research,we found a community of microorganisms in our body is likely a key factor for an athlete to get excellent performance in competition. Therefore, this paper is helpful for us to better understand the relationship between us and microorganisms.
I love drawing cartoon and like Moyashimon. Li et al's paper is very interesting.
it is wonderful
It's a very interesting and useful work!
It's a very interesting and useful work!
it is indeed wonderful !
it is wonderful
It is very interesting.And it indicates that cooperation is required for a wouderful work.
It is very interesting. And it strongly indicates that cooperation is required to accomplish a wonderful work.
It is wonderful work
It is wonderful work
It is a meaning work
It is very wonderful
It's a very interesting and useful work!
It's a very interesting and useful work!
It is very interesting
it is indeed wonderful !
It is very interesting. And it strongly indicates that cooperation is required to accomplish a wonderful work
it is wonderful
It is very interesting.
Symbiotic gut microbes function as an important factor in gastroenterology. Clinically, there are a lot of cases with disordered gut microfloras, either in composition or in activity. I think using the methodology described in the abstract might neglect many other factors, such as ecological, socioecnomical and so on. The broadly widened conclusion seems need substantial support from screening of more subjects.
Good paper!
I am not in this field, but I think it is wonderful.