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Work Package 4

Microbiome modulation in vitro

General aim

To develop and validate in vitro models for Host-Microbiome Interactions (HMI) that can be used to predict the impact of interventions on the physiological balance between the host and its microbes in the oral cavity and in the gut as the key arena’s for the interplay between the host, its microbiome and diet.

Objectives

  • To develop an oral and a gut HMI model that allow analysis of microbial and host-contributions to homeostasis and study mechanisms involved in maintaining homeostasis.
  • To describe the immune fitness in in vitro HMI models.
  • To evaluate the effect of microbially derived metabolites, most notably short chain fatty acids on the immune fitness in HMI models.
  • To study the role of known variations in dietary fibers, oligosaccharides, pre- and probiotics in the oral and gut HMI.
  • To assist in silico modeling (WP3) at different stages during the WP through iterative cycles of in vitro and in silico modeling of set variables.
  • To translate designated interventions (WP5) in testable variables in in vitro HMI models and predict their value in strengthening oral and gut homeostasis in the first 1000 days.
  • To disseminate achieved outputs during and at the end of the work package.

Active period

Year 3-8

Members of WP4

Bastiaan Krom
Leader WP4
Dongmei Deng
Stanley Brul
Jianbo Zhang
Meike Wortel
Coen Berns
Sofía Jiménez Ochoa
Aliki Antoniou

Applicants

ACTA, AUMC/Tytgat, WUR, UvA-SILS.

 

Cooperation partners/co-funders

NIBI, Bètapartners, BaseClear.

 

Progress

WP4 will start in 2025. The process for hiring personnel has been started. We will organise a kick-off meeting (April 15th) to realign the workpackage with the entire project and with the current state of science. Next, we will advertise the three PhD positions (1 shared with WP3) to attract scientific talent with the aim of starting the project January 1st 2025.

Related news

December 3, 2024
Oration Prof. dr. Bastiaan Krom
In connection with the appointment as Professor of Oral Microbiology (December 1, 2023), the leader of work package 4, Bastiaan Krom delivered his oration on September 6, 2024. In this oration 'Master of Puppets' he considers the research field and gives a glimpse into the future.  

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June 5, 2024
Old: Vacancy: PhD Opportunity: Exploring Host-Oral Microbiome Interactions in Early Life Through 3D Organotypic Models
Exploring Host-Oral Microbiome Interactions in Early Life Through 3D Organotypic Models.

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