PhD defence

Paving the way: exploring glycan-driven formation of the infant gut microbiota using synthetic communities

PhD candidate A (Nancy) Ioannou MSc
Promotor dr. C (Clara) Belzer
Co-promotor dr. J (Jan) Knol
Organisation Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Laboratory of Microbiology
Date

Fri 21 March 2025 10:30 to 11:30

Venue Omnia, building number 105
Hoge Steeg 2
105
6708 PH Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 484500
Room Auditorium

Summary

In my thesis, I studied the infant gut microbiota, the complex collection of microorganisms in the baby's gut. As the infant gut microbiota forms, it is influenced by different factors, like how the baby is fed. These microorganisms use sugars that come from the baby's diet or from the body itself. Some bacteria can use these sugars, while others cannot and depend on the ones that can. This creates relationships between the bacteria and helps form communities. To study this, I created a model and used synthetic microbial communities, which are simplified groups of bacteria that represent a baby's gut microbiome. The results of my thesis report that this model reproduces closely what happens in a real baby's gut microbiome. These synthetic microbial communities act as a model for the gut microbiota and can be used in many ways for research and nutrition.