Exploring the Microbiome

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Exploring the Microbiome Dr. Charu Kaushic Scientific Director, Institute of Infection & Immunity, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

What Is the Microbiome, Why Do We Care, and What’s the Importance of Microbiome Research? If you’ve ever stopped at the refrigerated health food section of your grocery store, you would have seen a wide selection of products like pre- and probiotics. Television commercials tout the benefits of these products on your gut health and microbiota. But what exactly is the microbiota, how is it different from the microbiome, and why do we need to learn more about it through research?

H Dr. Puja Bagri

umans have an estimated 100 t rillion m ic r o b e s s uch a s vir uses, f ungi a nd parasites, but the most predominant microbe living on and within our bodies are the bacteria. Together, these bacteria help form the human microbiota, and the genome of all the bacteria which live within our bodies help form the human microbiome — however, these terms are often used interchangeably. While a large majority of these bacteria reside in the gut, our skin, mouth, lungs, and reproductive and urinary tracts also have distinct microbiotas. Similar to fingerprints, each individual has unique communities of microbiota that are distinct for each person. The relationship between humans and their microbiome is dynamic and complex. The microbiome begins to develop at birth as the baby passes through the vaginal canal and subsequently through breast milk, and it

changes quickly in the early years following exposure to new environmental factors. While it does somewhat stabilize after this point, the microbiome can fluctuate throughout life depending on diet, health, exercise, hormonal balance, and environmental exposures. Many of the bacteria found within the microbiome exist in symbiosis with humans, meaning there is some benefit to both humans and the bacteria. Conversely, there are also pathogenic bacteria that can cause potential harm. Typically, in a healthy state, both symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria co-exist without any concern. However, a disturbance in this fine balance, also known as dysbiosis, can result in disease or illness. The discovery of this hidden world of bacteria that lives within us and our increased understanding of how they influence our health is arguably one of the most exciting developments in health research in the last two decades. For instance, we now know that a per-

son’s microbiome may influence their susceptibility to certain infections and contribute to illnesses such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and anxiety. This is because the microbiome plays a key role in a diverse range of vital processes, including programming the immune system, controlling inflammation, defending against pathogens, providing nutrients to cells, facilitating metabolism, synthesizing vitamins, and even influencing behaviour by indirectly modulating the central nervous system. We’re only beginning to understand the widespread impacts of the microbiome. The next phase of research will be exciting as we start to understand why and how different bacteria differentially affect our bodies and how we can manipulate the microbiome to improve human health. Read more about the CIHR Canadian Microbiome Initiative at innovatingcanada.ca.

Publisher: Natalie Jacome Business Development Manager: Chelsea Siemon Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content and Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designers: Lauren Livingston, Filip Jansky Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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Leading the way in microbiome research The International Microbiome Centre at the University of Calgary is a translational research centre, designed to investigate the microbiome of humans, animals and the physical environment. Together, world class microbiome researchers, advanced technologies and relationship building will spark groundbreaking discoveries that harness the healing power of the microbiome.

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INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOME CENTRE (IMC)


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