The Human Microbiome

Question 1

What is the aim of the Human Microbiome Project?

Answer 1

• characterise microbial communities found at multiple human body sites
• look for correlations between changes in the microbiome and human health

Question 2

What are 4 goals of the Human Microbiome Project?

Answer 2

• to develop reference set of microbial genome sequences
• to find correlation between disease and human microbiome
• to establish resource repository
• to develop new technologies for computational analysis

Question 3

What are major findings of the Human Microbiome Project?

Answer 3

• 10000 microbial species in human microbiome
• 500-1000 bacterial species in the gut (most diverse microbial community in the body)
• everyone has approx. 160 species
• community can change but functions do not

Question 4

What are 5 functions of the human microbiome?

Answer 4

• prevent pathogens protect body
• block colonisation niches
• modify environment to change virulence factor expression
• lower pH
• thicken mucus layer

Question 5

What are the 4 microbial communities that dominate the human microbiome?

Answer 5

Firmicutes, Antinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria

Question 6

This is some of the most common organisms in the human intestinal tract.

Answer 6

Genus bifidobacterium

Question 7

What are some functions (2) of the gut microbiome?

Answer 7

creates SCFA (provide immunity) to modulate metabolisms

synthesis vitamins

alter drug delivery

Question 8

This is food claimed to have a health promoting or disease preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying nutrients.

Answer 8

Functional Foods

Question 9

These foods live in microorganisms and survive transit through stomach and duodenum.

Provide examples.

Answer 9

Probiotics

Examples: yoghurt

Question 10

This is an ingredient that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon.

These stimulate the growth of probiotics. Commonly plant fibres that fertilise the body by promoting growth of good bacteria in the gut.

Answer 10

Prebiotic

Question 11

What are prebiotics usually obtained from?

Answer 11

Carbohydrates

Question 12

What are examples of prebiotics?

Answer 12

Whole grains, bananas, onions, honey

Question 13

What are 2 differences between prebiotics and probiotics?

Answer 13

Probiotics are alive (usually bacteria or yeast
Prebiotics are carbohydrates/fibres

Probiotics aid digestion
Prebiotics serve as food for probiotics

Question 14

This is a highly successful treatment for multiple recurrences of Clostridium deficile infection (CDI)

Answer 14

Fecal microbiota transplantation