By Hudson Institute of Medical Research October 20, 2023

Researchers at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the gut microbiome that challenges previous beliefs about Crohn's Disease. Their novel computational method has paved the way for targeted microbial therapies and opened up new possibilities for tackling various medical conditions.

Led by Associate Professor Samuel Forster and his team at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, in collaboration with the Institute for Systems Biology in the USA, as well as local collaborators at Monash University and Monash Health, the researchers have dedicated years to studying the intricate workings of the gut microbiome.

The team's aim was to identify the key species and their interactions that contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. By unraveling these relationships, they have provided a new perspective on medical opportunities, spanning conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.

Associate Professor Samuel Forster described the gut microbiome as a "microscopic multicultural community" consisting of approximately 1000 different bacterial species. The bacteria in this community rely on each other to produce and share vital nutrients. The team's innovative computational method offers comprehensive insights into these interdependencies and the role they play in shaping the microbiome.

"This new method unlocks our understanding of the gut microbiome and provides a foundation for new treatment options that selectively remodel microbial communities," stated A/Prof Forster.

The microbiome, with trillions of microbes living inside and on the surface of the human body, plays a crucial role in maintaining health and fighting diseases. Scientists have identified more than 2,000 microbial species in the gut, with additional populations residing in the skin, bladder, and genitals.

The composition of each individual's gut microbiome is unique, influencing various systems within the body, including metabolism, gastrointestinal health, brain functions, and immune responses. In a healthy person, symbiotic and pathogenic microbes coexist harmoniously.

However, imbalances between beneficial and disease-causing microbes, known as dysbiosis, can disrupt the microbiome, making individuals more susceptible to conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Clostridioides difficile infection, which causes severe diarrhea and colitis.

The recent study, published in Nature Communications, unveils a new computational approach to studying microbial communities, a crucial factor in establishing these intricate relationships. According to the lead author, Dr. Vanessa Marcelino, this significant advancement paves the way for the development of complex microbial therapies.

"This approach allows us to identify and rank the key interactions between bacteria and use this knowledge to predict targeted ways to change the community," noted Dr. Marcelino.

In terms of future implications, A/Prof Forster and his team have fostered a longstanding partnership with BiomeBank, a biotechnology company based in Adelaide, known for its work in treating and preventing diseases by restoring gut microbial ecology. With the insights gained from understanding community structure, targeted interventions using carefully selected combinations of microbes become a possibility.

The innovative computational method developed by the researchers at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research holds immense promise for healthcare, providing the tools needed to optimize human health by nurturing and manipulating the microbiome. With its potential to transform medical approaches, this discovery marks the dawn of a new era in understanding and harnessing the power of these microscopic communities.

Reference: "Disease-specific loss of microbial cross-feeding interactions in the human gut" 20 October 2023, Nature Communications.