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Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
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Human genetics shape the gut microbiome.

Julia K Goodrich1, Jillian L Waters1, Angela C Poole1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Cell
|November 24, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Host genetics significantly shape the gut microbiome, influencing its composition and impacting host metabolism. Certain bacteria, like Christensenellaceae, are heritable and linked to lower body mass index (BMI).

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Host-microbiome interactions
  • Genetics and metabolism

Background:

  • Host genetics and gut microbiota are known to influence metabolic phenotypes.
  • The interplay between host genetics, gut microbiome composition, and host phenotype remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether host genetic variation shapes the gut microbiome.
  • To explore the interaction between host genetics and the gut microbiome in affecting host metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of over 1,000 fecal samples from the TwinsUK population.
  • Identification of heritable microbial taxa and their co-occurrence networks.
  • Transplantation of a specific bacterium (Christensenella minuta) into germ-free mice.

Main Results:

  • Numerous microbial taxa abundances were found to be influenced by host genetics.
  • The Christensenellaceae family, the most heritable taxon, showed co-occurrence with other heritable bacteria and archaea.
  • Christensenellaceae enrichment was observed in individuals with lower body mass index (BMI).
  • Transplantation of C. minuta into mice reduced weight gain and altered their gut microbiome.

Conclusions:

  • Host genetics play a significant role in determining the composition of the human gut microbiome.
  • Genetic influences on the microbiome can impact host metabolic traits, such as body mass index.