The project aims to enable modulation of indigenous bacterial populations of the human intestinal tract in order to optimise human health and well-being. For this purpose we propose to concomitantly develop and apply (i) novel sequencing technologies and approaches to comprehensively characterise the human intestinal metagenome, (ii) novel diagnostic methods to rapidly assess the composition and activity of bacterial genes associated with each of us, (iii) novel informatics resources to store, organise and interpret the human metagenome information, (iv) novel bacterial and possibly animal model systems to characterise and comprehend the functional relations between bacterial genes and human phenotypes. Studies of human populations, differing by food habits, environment, age as well as various aspects of health are essential components of the project. In strategic terms, the project will aid to structure a new, exciting and important field of research in Europe. In terms of basic knowledge, the project will contribute to the detailed understanding of human biology, which has until now largely ignored the effects of microbes that reside in our body. In practical terms, one of the first outcomes will be new diagnostic tools, helping to asses the human health status while a longer term outcome will be enabling reasoned approaches to modulate bacterial populations that are associated with humans, in order to optimise our health and well-being.

To register for this workshop at EuroBioForum click here and e-mail Dr. Stanislav Dusko Ehrlich at dusko.ehrlich[at]jouy.inra.fr.