isbscience.org/research/microbiome/
Our knowledge of the human microbiome has grown exponentially over the past decade. The ecological diversity of human gut bacteria is declining around the world due to changes in hygiene and lifestyle. This loss of diversity has been associated with the rise of asthma, allergies, obesity, and a host of other disorders. Meanwhile, commercial excitement surrounding the human microbiome has outpaced research, resulting in unsubstantiated claims. We aim to bridge this gap by connecting cutting-edge science to health care.
“The trillions of microorganisms that reside in and on our bodies — our microbiome — represent a heretofore unrecognized organ, integral to our health and wellbeing. When the ecology of this organ is compromised, we become vulnerable to a range of complex diseases.”
– Dr. Sean Gibbons, Associate Professor, ISB
RESEARCH
ISB researchers have shown which blood metabolites are associated with the gut microbiome, genetics, or the interplay between both. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, have promising implications for guiding targeted therapies designed to alter the composition of the blood metabolome to improve human health.
RESEARCH
ISB research shows that different patient responses to statins can be explained by the variation in the human microbiome. The findings were published in the journal Med, and suggest that microbiome monitoring could be used to help optimize personalized statin treatments.
RESEARCH
The strongest associations with weight loss success or failure – independent of BMI – are found in the genetic capacity of the gut microbiome. These new findings open the door to diagnostic tests that can identify people likely to lose weight with healthy lifestyle changes and those who might need more drastic interventions.
RESEARCH
The gut microbiome is an integral component of the body, but its importance in the human aging process is unclear. ISB researchers and their collaborators have identified distinct signatures in the gut microbiome that are associated with either healthy or unhealthy aging trajectories, which in turn predict survival in a population of older individuals.
ISB’s multi-pronged and collaborative approach to the human microbiome is unique. We have made great strides in developing computational tools and experimental models targeted at engineering the gut microbiome. However, our work is far from done. Your support is crucial to our quest to integrate the human microbiome into 21st Century medicine.
Dr. Sid Venkatesh recently joined ISB as assistant professor and is our newest faculty member. In this Q&A, Venkatesh discusses his research, his aspirations in the gut-microbiota field, his philosophy as a scientist, what he does when he’s not in the lab, and more.
ISB Associate Professor Dr. Sean Gibbons was named a Highly Cited Researcher for 2023. It is the second consecutive year Gibbons has earned the distinction. The Highly Cited Research list is generated annually by Clarivate, which says: “Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000.”
In their new book, “The Age of Scientific Wellness: Why the Future of Medicine is Personalized, Predictive, Data-Rich, and In Your Hands,” Drs. Lee Hood and Nathan Price introduce a new way of thinking about healthcare – a focus on preventing diseases and optimizing overall wellness.
