List some of the key (historical) scientists that have contributed to our knowledge of the microbiome
Hippocrates of Kos
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Elie Metchnikoff
Know the ratio of microbial to human cells and body sites known to harbour a microbiota (e.g. the gut and skin)
ratio of microbial to human cells
-> human cells: 3.0 x 10^13
-> bacterial cells: 3.8 x 10^13
body sites
skin
gut
lung
nose
UT (urinary tract)
vagina
small & large intestine
mouth
ear
Understand the meaning of the different terms used to describe microbial communities (microbiota, microbiome etc.)
microbiota
microbes itselves,
microorganisms (by type) living in a specific environment
-> bacteria, archae, fungi, algae, protists
microbial structural elements
genetic material of microbiota
-> proteins/peptides, lipids, polysacharides
internal/external structural elements
-> environmental conditions
-> microbial metabolites: signaling molecules, toxins, (an-) organic molecules
=> in total: microbiome
community of microbes and their genetic material
Briefly describe some of the key beneficial functions of the microbiota for host health (e.g. immune programing)
immune development
infection resistance
food digestion (e. g. food poisoning)
brain functions (e. g. NT-production, memory)
Name the 4 main bacterial phyla of the human microbiota
Bacteroidetes / Bacteroidota
Firmicutes / Bacillota
Actinobacteria / Actinomycetota
Proteobacteria / Pseudomonadota
Briefly describe (or draw) the structure of human skin, and list the dominant microbiota members (Gram-positive and Gram-negative)
structure of human skin
from lower to upper parts
Dermis: contains glands
Epidermis: between Dermis and skin surface
Skin surface: virus, fungi and bacteria
dominant microbiota members
gram-positive
Staphylococcus spp.
Cutibacterium spp.
Micrococcus spp.
gram-negative
Roseomonas spp.
Pseudomonas spp.
Acinetobacter spp.
List factors that influence the composition of the skin microbiota and 2 dominant species that colonise the skin longer-term
influences to the composition of the skin microbiota
extrinsic: lifestyle, hygiene routine, drugs & cosmetics usage
intrinsic: genetics, aging, sex, bodysite
long-term skin colonising species
Cutibacterium acnes
Staphylococcus epidermis
Name the different ‘habitats’ in the oral cavity that microbes colonise
tongue
teeth surface / Enamel -> plaque
List the most common bacterial genera in the oral microbiota
Veillonella
Neisseria
Streptococcus
Prevotella
Briefly describe the process for biofilm formation on enamel and the microbial consortium forming a “Hedgehog” structure on plaque
process for biofilm formation
salvitary pellicle provides binding sites for bacterial adherence
-> destinct, warm and moist habitat
-> teeth don’t shed -> promotes accumulation of bacteria if hygiene is not maintained
=> protheses, missing/needed restaurations, implants influence biofilm too
Hedgehog form
spatial organisation of plaque microbiome
-> outward radition of Corynebacterium spp. -> habitat for other taxa, building /stacking up on that
List the different physiological structures that make up the respiratory tract
nasal cavity
nasopharynx
oropharynx
Trachae
lungs
List some of the important bacterial taxa in the nasal microbiota and what % of humans harbour S. aureus
bacterial taxa in nasal microbiota
Proteobacteria / Pseudomonadots
30 % humans harbous Staphylococcus aureus
Understand some of the issues with sampling the lung microbiota and what bacterial genera colonise the lung
issues sampling lung microbiota
complicated and fragile/sensitive structure
bacteria genera
Haemophilus
Fusobacterium
List some of the bacteria genera that colonise the genitourinary tract (i.e. vagina and urinary tract) and what factors impact microbiota composition
bacteria genera in GUT
Lactobacillus
Corynebacterium
Staphylococcus
impact factors of microbiota composition in GUT
pH value
different structures of different biological areas/niches
dynamic ecosystem
LAB number
Understand that the gut microbiota represents the most densely colonised body site and list the different niches available for microbial colonisation
gut microbiota
most densely colonised microbiome (2.5 k +)
depending on the part of gut, pHs, O2-levels
different niches
salvia
oesophagus
stomach
duodenum
ileum
colon (biggest density and diversity)
Briefly describe the ecological succession of the gut microbiota over the human life course
unborn: depending on mother
Baby: pioneer microbes, low diversity, high instability
toddler: new species, rapid increase in diversity, high instability
Adult: highly distinct and diverse microbiots, constantly changing (daily) depending on extrinsic and intrinsic factors
Elderly: lower diversity, substantially different microbiota than younger adults
Describe some of the factors known to influence the early life gut microbiota and what bacteria genera dominate the infant gut microbiota
influence factors on early life gut microbiota
depending on mother
-> delivers nutrient through blood through umbilical cord
delivery mode
breast-feeding or formula feeding
dominating bacteria genera
E. coli
Bifidobacterium,, Staphylococcus through breast-feeding
Bacteroides, Clostridium (months 4 - 12)
Be able to list 10 examples of microbiota members that live in the adult gut
Bifidobacterium
Faecalibacterium
Clostridium
Ruminococcus
Bacteroides
Akkermansia
Escherichia
Alistipes
Helicobacter
Provide examples of factors that influence adult gut microbiota composition and provide names of disease associated with microbiota disturbances
influencing factors
diet
antibiotics
birth mode
infections
genetics
names of diseases associtated with microbiota disturbance
Morbus Crohn
Colon Cancer
NEC
Diabetes (Type 1)
Obesity
Malnutrition
MS
Depression
Anxiety
Autism
Asthma
Food allergy
Name and describe 3 microbial/diet strategies that can be employed to manipulate the gut microbiota (i.e. pro-, pre-biotics and FMT)
prebiotics
selectively fermented ingredient
-> insulin, lactulose, fibre
probiotics
live microorganisms in adequate amounts
-> Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus
faecal microbiota transplant (FMT)
receiving live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) from a healthy donor to promote CDI patient health
Last changed2 years ago