You might find this webinar on Wednesday at 1 PM, “Bidirectional associations between the gut microbiota and host serotonin”, to be interest both due to the topic and to learn about a high-throughput strategy for cultivation of gut microbes. (https://webinar-portal.net/webinars/galt/registration_210224.php ) The Microbiome Core is coordinating a loan of “The Prospector” (https://www.galt-inc.com/prospector/) for high-throughput cultivation and it should be particularly effective when used in combination with the MADLI Biotyper that will be available in mid-April. If you think you might be interested in trying one of your samples on “The Prospector”, please contact Eric Martens or Tom Schmidt to discuss further.
Jonathan Lynch, Ph.D., is a post-doctoral scientist at UCLA's Dr. Elaine Hsiao Lab.
During the webinar, Dr. Lynch will discuss the following:
- The role of Turicibacter sanguinis in host neurotransmitter and lipid biology. Despite their associations with various aspects of host health, representatives of the Turicibacter genus are extremely understudied.
- Results from a collaborative project with GALT that combined massively parallel culturing with qPCR-based screening of isolates to rapidly generate multiple Turicibacter isolates using the Prospector® platform.
- Functional studies he will be doing with the isolates to elucidate the relationships between T. sanguinis, host serotonin, and other areas of host biology, with the goal of understanding how these bacteria shape human health.
Dr. Lynch's Research
The gut microbiota alters host neurotransmitter biology and is critical for stimulating production of the broadly acting neurotransmitter/hormone serotonin. Spore-forming bacteria from the microbiota produce small molecules that induce host serotonin production and correct serotonin-associated physiology. One of the dominant members of this spore-forming group, Turicibacter sanguinis, expresses a functional serotonin transporter, suggesting a potential bidirectional relationship between the microbiota and host serotonin. T. sanguinis is negatively affected by certain antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), that inhibit activity of this serotonin transporter. Dr. Lynch's research leverages natural diversity of T. sanguinis isolates, along with novel analysis tools, to understand the relationships between T. sanguinis, host serotonin, and other areas of host biology, with the goal of understanding how these bacteria shape human health.
Questions about this webinar?
surekha.karudapuram@galt-inc.com