Microbiome and Diet
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dietary impact on the Gut Microbiome
IRAS ID
212391
Contact name
Timothy Spector
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The human gut harbors more than 1000 species of microbes that make up the human gut microbiome. The majority of the human microbiome is composed of bacteria and is responsible for a number of benefits experienced by the host such as protection from pathogens and enhanced nutrition. A shift in specific microbial communities has been associated with certain chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease. Transplantation studies of microbiotas from diseased individuals to healthy individuals have shown that the microbiome can be sufficient to trigger disease. Further studies have drawn links between disease, the microbiome and host genetic variation, suggesting that the microbiome may in fact have a heritable component. The results of this research will be used to establish links between regions of the human genome and composition of the microbiome. The results of this study have the potential to reveal fundamental human host microbe interactions that may be applicable to the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0287
Date of REC Opinion
28 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion