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Bac3Gel Win Targeting Microbiota 2024 Best Short Oral Presentation (1)

Congratulations to Victoria Navas from Bac3Gel, Portugal, for winning the Best Short Oral Presentation Award (1) at the Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference.

Award Winning Presentation: "Gut3Gel: Innovative in vitro Platform for Evaluating Microbiome-Modulating Molecules".

Her presentation introduced Gut3Gel, an advanced in vitro platform designed to evaluate microbiome-modulating molecules. This innovative technology aims to enhance our understanding of gut microbiome interactions and their potential therapeutic applications.

About Bac3Gel:

Bac3Gel is at the forefront of transforming wellness and healthcare with its advanced 3D substrates and growth enhancers designed for microbiota culturing and in-vitro modeling. Their innovative solutions simplify culturing processes and enable high-throughput screening, significantly reducing research and development costs. Bac3Gel's gut-specific and customizable mucus models provide unparalleled opportunities for harnessing the full potential of microbiota. Read more.

ISM Best Short Oral 2024 (2): Impact of Radio-Chemotherapy on Intestinal Dysbiosis in Cervical Cancer Patients

Congratulations to Ksenia Klimov-Kravtchenko and her team from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, for winning the Best Short Oral Presentation Award at the Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference.

Award Winning Presentation: "Radio-Chemotherapy Treatment Exacerbates Intestinal Dysbiosis in Cervical Cancer Patients from Western Mexico: Pioneering Study Characterizing Microbiota and NK Cell Exhaustion".

Their pioneering study investigates how radio-chemotherapy exacerbates intestinal dysbiosis in cervical cancer patients from Western Mexico and its association with NK cell exhaustion. Findings indicate that treatment intensifies gut microbiota imbalances and promotes a pro-inflammatory environment, highlighting the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions to improve anti-tumor responses.

ISM Best Poster 2024 (1): Exploring the Mycobiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Congratulations to Vlasta Demeckova and her team from Pavol Jozef Safarik University and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Slovakia, for winning the Best Poster Presentation Award at the Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference.

Award Winning Poster: "Exploring The Mycobiome: Insights Into Fungal Community Differences Between Autism Spectrum Disorder And Healthy Individuals"

Their study reveals significant differences in mycobiome diversity between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical (NT) controls. Findings indicate lower fungal diversity and dominance of Saccharomyces and Candida in ASD, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for managing gastrointestinal issues.

Drug Effects of Gut Microbiota in Humans: Clinical Consequences

It is a great pleasure to welcome Prof. Carmelo Scarpignato, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, to Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Prof. Scarpignato will present a talk on "Drug Effects of Gut Microbiota in Humans: Clinical Consequences". 

Key Points:

• Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting gut micobiota
• Side effects of drugs on human gut microbiota: always undesirable?
• Dysbiosis and leaky gut: clinical consequences
• Effects of some widely used drug classes on human microbiota

About Carmelo Scarpignato

Carmelo Scarpignato graduated in Biochemistry at the University of Messina, and in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Modena in Italy. He is currently Professor of Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, LUdeS Lugano Campus, Switzerland & United Campus of Malta, Msida, Malta. He is also Honorary Clinical Professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong and Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist & Gastroenterologist. He has been Visiting Professor at some prestigious European and USA Universities.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Phage Therapy: A New Era of “Old” Concept for “Microbiome” Health

Dr. Mzia Kutateladze, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Georgia, will join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October will share the latest findings on the use of bacteriophages to manipulate/shape gut and skin microbiomes.

Topic: Phage Therapy: A New Era of "Old" Concept for "Microbiome" Health

About Dr. Kutateladze

Dr. Mzia Kutateladze represents the world-renown G. Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, headquartered in Tbilisi, Georgia. Currently, she is the Director of Eliava Institute, as well as the President of the Eliava Foundation, a collection of commercial spin-offs. She oversees, coordinates and manages the research directions and programs of the Institute. She is the author or co-author of more than 80 scientific papers. Her scientific background is in microbiology and molecular biology, bacteriophage research and application. Dr. Kutateladze was a manager and a leading scientist of number of scientific research projects. She is serving as a project and papers reviewer for national and international funding agencies and scientific journals.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Does the Microbiome Control Cravings and Addictive Behavior of their Host: A New Prospective and Hope for Treating Addiction

It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Steven R. Gundry, Medical Director at The Centers for Restorative Medicine, USA, to Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Topic: Does the Microbiome Control Cravings and Addictive Behavior of their Host: A New Prospective and Hope for Treating Addiction.

Presentation Summary

Addictions to opioids, pain relievers, alcohol, and tobacco represent an extremely challenging and persistent problem. The recidivism rate following in-patient or outpatient treatment programs can be as high as 90% for most of these addictions.

This presentation will examine the startling new findings of how gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability drive addictive behavior, making the host seek out compounds that benefit these dysbiotic microbes, usually by pain and/or reward pathways.

Thus, treatment regimens need to be restructured towards changing the gut terrain via targeted pro, pre, and postbiotics; truly a paradigm shift in rehabilitation philosophies.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Culturing the Complexity of Intestinal Microbiota In-Vitro in Bac3Gel®

Dr. Daniela Pacheco, CTO and Founder of Bac3Gel, Portugal, will share her latest research during Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

"Culturing the Complexity of Intestinal Microbiota In-Vitro in Bac3Gel"

Presentation Highlights

• Bac3Gel demonstrated to be successful in sustaining the complexity of intestinal microbiota in vitro, making it a powerful tool for microbiota research.
• By using Bac3Gel, researchers were able to culture in-vitro the microbiota population from the isolates of 5 adult donors, achieving greater diversity and dynamic behavior compared to traditional methods like Brain Heart Infusion Medium (BHI) for up to 72h.
• The microbiota population cultured in Bac3Gel showed sustained microbial diversity over time, including previously unculturable bacteria.
• The matrix properties of Bac3Gel favored the growth of exopolysaccharide producers and showed an increase in the viscoelastic properties of the model over time. Thus, providing insight about the capacity of the substrate to mimic the remodeling behavior of the mucosal layer.
• Metabolomics analysis of the secretome of bacteria cultured in Bac3Gel confirmed the production of key metabolites such as lactate, therefore indicating desired microbial activity.
• These results suggest that Bac3Gel is a groundbreaking innovation for sustaining complex microbiota in vitro, offering a cutting-edge solution for advancing research in gut microbiota and related health studies.

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International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Using Roseoflavin, a Natural Riboflavin Analogue, to Modify the Human Microbiota

The ISM is pleased to welcome Prof. Markus Egert, active member of the ISM scientific board, from Furtwangen University, Germany to Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Prof. Egert will present a talk on "Using Roseoflavin, a Natural Riboflavin Analogue, to Modify the Human Microbiota". 

Presentation Summary:

The antivitamin roseoflavin is a structural analogue and competitive inhibitor of riboflavin. Riboflavin is a precursor of the cofactors FMN and FAD, which are involved in various important cellular reactions.

The presentation will summarize the current state of a joint project, in which we examine the influence of roseoflavin on the structure of the human microbiota using cultivation-based as well as molecular approaches.

The project was inspired by a recent report that Streptococcus mutans, one of the most important cariogenic bacteria in the human mouth, appears to be auxotrophic for riboflavin and hence susceptible to roseoflavin.

About Markus Egert

Markus Egert is professor for Microbiology and Hygiene at Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences (Black Forest, Germany). His work aims at a deeper understanding of the structural and functional interactions of microbial communities with humans.  He was one of the first researchers to apply the so-called RNA-based stable isotope probing technique (RNA-SIP) to intestinal ecosystem in order to identify prebiotics-degrading bacteria. In addition, he is known for his pioneering work on the microbiome of objects of daily use, such as kitchen sponges, spectacles and washing machines, and the hygienic relevance that goes with it.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Prospects for Leveraging the Microbiota as Medicine for Hypertension

The ISM is pleased to announce that Dr. Bina Joe, Eidtor-in-Chief of Microbiota and Host, from the University of Toledo, USA, will be speaking at Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Dr. Joe's presentation, titled "Prospects for Leveraging the Microbiota as Medicine for Hypertension", will cover:

• Current evidence for microbiota as context-dependent causal factors for hypertension.
• Proof-of-concept for engineering microbiota as medicine for hypertension.
• Microbiota-host interactions in the regulation of blood pressure.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Gut Microbiome, Obesity and Diabetes

Prof. Hiroshi Ohno, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Japan, will join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October to give a presentation on his latest research: "Gut Microbiome, Obesity and Diabetes".

Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of diseases including obesity and diabetes. Gut microbial metabolites often is responsible for these diseases.

In his talk, Prof. Ohno,  will discuss the recently identified gut microbe-derived trans-unsaturated fatty acid elaidate is involved in obesity and diabetes. Containment of these responsible metabolites could be a promising strategy for preventive medicine.

About Prof. Ohno

Hiroshi Ohno is the team leader at RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem. His group is interested in the intestinal immune system, especially the molecular mechanisms of the function and differentiation of M cells, a subset of intestinal epithelium specialized for uptake of particulate antigens such as bacteria and viruses. We are also studying the role of host-gut microbiota interaction on the host physiology and pathology.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Gut Brain Axis & Depression: Startegic Role of Dietary Proline Exposed

The ISM is pleased to welcome Prof. José Manuel Fernández-Real, Universitat de Girona, Spain join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Prof. Fernández-Real will present a talk on "Gut Brain Axis & Depression: Startegic Role of Dietary Proline Exposed". 

Key Points:

High proline consumption emerged as the primary dietary factor significantly impacting depression. Analysis of whole-brain dynamics unveiled disruptions in the rich club network, correlating with depression and circulating proline levels. 

Notably, proline supplementation in mice exacerbated depressive symptoms, concomitant with microbial translocation. Human microbiota transplantation in mice induced an emotionally impaired phenotype, accompanied by alterations in GABA-, proline-, and extracellular matrix-related genes in the prefrontal cortex. 

Furthermore, interventions such as RNAi-mediated knockdown of proline and GABA transporters in Drosophila, and mono-association with L. plantarum, a prolific GABA producer, demonstrated protective effects against depression-like states. 

These findings underscore the potential of microbiome modulation and dietary proline targeting as promising avenues for effective depression treatment.

About José Manuel Fernández-Real

Dr. José Manuel Fernández-Real, an endocrinologist and researcher at the Girona Biomedical Research Institute, holds degrees in Medicine and a Ph.D. from the University of Barcelona, Spain. As a member of the CIBERobn Steering Committee, focusing on Obesity Research, he has contributed significantly to the field with over 500 publications, earning an impressive H index of 97 and over 37,500 citations on Google Scholar. Leading 29 National and International Projects, holding 12 patents, and supervising 14 doctoral theses, he has played pivotal roles in various research endeavors, including coordinating the European ThinkGut project. Renowned globally, he ranks among the top 40 most cited authors in Endocrinology and within the top 1% across all scientific disciplines. Over the past 5 years, his research has primarily explored the microbiota's role in metabolic disorders and cognition, with notable findings linking microbiome signatures to conditions like fatty liver and obesity-related cognitive issues. His latest work focuses on how alterations in proline metabolism impact depression through changes in the gut microbiome.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Mythbusting Our Microbiome

Prof. Alan Walker, University of Aberdeen, United Kindgom, will join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October to give a presentation on his latest research: "Mythbusting Our Microbiome".

About Prof. Walker

Prof. Walker is a microbiologist by training with specific research interests in the bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of mammalian hosts. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Aberdeen Prof. Walker studied for my PhD at the Rowett Institute and at the University of Dundee, specialising in gut microbiology and the role that intestinal bacteria play in the breakdown of dietary fibre. I then spent eight and a half years at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, a renowned centre for genomics research. While there he  used state of the art DNA sequencing facilities to better characterise host-associated microbial communities and shed light on the roles these microbes play both in health and in diseases such Cystic Fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and infection with Salmonella spp. and Clostridium difficile. Prof. Walker is now a Senior Research Fellow/Principal Investigator at the Rowett Institute within the University of Aberdeen. In his lab he combines anaerobic microbiology with DNA sequencing technologies in order to examine interactions between host diet and the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals, and how these factors may contribute to host health.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

From Microbiomes and (Meta)genomes to the Lab and Back - Identification, Production and Application of Bacteriocins

The ISM is pleased to announce that Dr. Christian Riedel, University of Ulm, Germany, will be speaking at Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Dr. Riedel's presentation, titled "From Microbiomes and (Meta)genomes to the Lab and Back - Identification, Production and Application of Bacteriocins," will include:

• Discussing the diverse applications of bacteriocins, including food preservation, animal feed, microbiome modulation, and potential therapeutic alternatives for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. 
• Identifying production challenges: Currently, bacteriocins are mainly produced by natural producer organisms on complex substrates.
• Proposing solutions: Shift towards recombinant biotechnological production hosts, with focus on Corynebacterium glutamicum as an industrial workhorse organism. 
• Highlighting efforts to identify novel bacteriocins from environmental microbiomes and genomic data.
• Exploring the intricacies of recombinant production, including challenges and potential solutions.
• Providing examples of potential applications of bacteriocins across different settings.

Learn more about the topics talks and topics that will be covered during Targeting Microbiota 2024 in the Conference Program.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Deciphering the role of the Oral-Placental and Vaginal-Placental Microbiome Axes in Preterm Birth

The ISM is pleased to announce that Dr. Souhaila Al Khodor, Sidra Medicine, Qatar, will be speaking at Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Dr. Al Khodor's presentation, titled "Deciphering the role of the Oral-Placental and Vaginal-Placental Microbiome Axes in Preterm Birth," will cover:

• Evaluating the placental microbiome in both term and preterm pregnancies.
• Distinct patterns of microbial sharing among placental, oral cavity, and vaginal samples obtained from women experiencing term or preterm births.

Join us this October in Malta not to miss out on Dr. Al Khodor's talk.

Conference Program.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Gut Microbiota in Early Life: Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Dr. Rochellys Diaz Heijtz, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, will share her latest research during Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

"Gut Microbiota in Early Life: Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes"

Gut microbiota influences brain development and behavior, notably in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Dr. Heijtz's lab research shows infants with heightened ASD risk display early gut microbiota changes before behavioral signs. Targeted microbial treatments, like Limosilactobacillus reuteri probiotics, may improve social behavior in ASD children. Recent preclinical studies highlight benefits of multispecies probiotics during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Male Fertility and Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Prof. Cristian O'Flaherty from McGill University, Canada, will join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October to present his latest research: "Male Fertility and Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge and Future Directions".

Presentation Summary:

Human infertility is on the rise, with approximately 16% of couples being infertile worldwide. In half of these cases, the causes can be traced to men. Causes of male infertility remain hidden in about 34% of patients with normal semen analysis.

In his talk, Prof. O'Flaherty will discuss the suggested relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and male infertility. However, more research is needed to elucidate the role of gut microbiota in male reproductive health disorders. An abundance of Bacteroidetes and a reduction of Firmicutes are associated with male infertility. There is potential for therapeutic interventions or personalized treatments for male infertility based on the manipulation of gut microbiota.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

The Small Intestinal Microbiota: A Hidden Player in Human Health and Disease

The ISM is excited to announce that Dr. Pascale Vonaesch from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, will be speaking at Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Dr. Vonaesch's presentation, titled "The Small Intestinal Microbiota: A Hidden Player in Human Health and Disease," will cover:

• The unique composition of the small intestinal (SI) microbiota compared to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
• How various diseases can lead to different types of bacterial overgrowth in the SI.
• The link between small intestinal oral bacteria overgrowth (SIOBO) and childhood undernutrition.
• The role of oral-origin bacteria in the development of these conditions.
• The potential of targeting the SI microbiota as a strategy to treat metabolic diseases.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Bacteriophages Redesigned – Tiny Killers and Detectives to Support Infectious Disease Therapy

Dr. Martin Loessner, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, will share his latest research during Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

"Bacteriophages Redesigned – Tiny Killers and Detectives to Support Infectious Disease Therapy"

Phage therapy of the future will not be what it used to be. Existing hurdles such as limited efficacy and rapid emergence of resistance can be overcome by genetic engineering of bacteriophages. Dr. Loessner will discuss how synthetic biology enables a completely new and highly specific approach to specifically target bacterial pathogens and re-balance the microbiome.

About Dr. Loessner

Martin J. Loessner is Full Professor of Food Microbiology at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, since 2003. The research work in Martin Loessner-​s group is focussed on foodborne pathogens and their specific bacteriophages. Basic molecular biology research is used to derive novel and innovative applications for the detection and control of unwanted bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. Recombinant proteins are designed for labeling and immobilization of bacterial cells; and genetic engineering is used as a tool for improvement of cultures towards safer food products. This work has received several awards and prizes. The group is closely collaborating with a number of research groups, and has fruitful contacts with partners from the diagnostic and food industry.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Microbial Phenotypes in Obesity: Implications for Precision Nutrition

The ISM is pleased to welcome Prof. Ellen Blaak, Maastricht University, Netherlands join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October.

Prof. Blaak will participate in the session on "Microbial Phenotypes in Obesity: Implications for Precision Nutrition", highlight the strategies to modulate microbiota in obesity. 

About Ellen Blaak

Ellen Blaak is Professor in Human Biology at the Department of Human Biology since 2007 and is Chair of the Department of Human Biology. Her research focuses on the role of disturbances in fatty acid metabolism and interorgan cross-talk (gut-adipose tissue-muscle metabolism) in the aetiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (>300 publ,) as well as the impact of nutritional or lifestyle intervention to reverse these changes.  Beside being professor at Maastricht University, she is project leader within the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, a public-private partnership of academia and international Food Industry, focussed on precompetitive research. She is member of the Nutrition committee of the Dutch Health Council and of several advisory board/grant evaluation committees.  She obtained funding from among others the Netherlands Organisation for  Scientific  research/Dutch  Diabetes  Research  Foundation/EU  as  a  PI  for more than 30 research  projects and has supervised more than 30 PhD theses.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn 

Probiotics & Health: How to Select the Right Strain?

Prof. Andreas Schwiertz, from the Institute of Microecology and member of the ISM scientific board, Germany, will join Targeting Microbiota 2024 this October to give a presentation on his latest research: "Probiotics & Health: How to Select the Right Strain?".

About Prof. Schwiertz

Dr. Andreas Schwiertz is a microbiologist and molecular biologist. He trained at the Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg (GER), the University College Cork (IRL) and Sate University of St. Petersburg (RUS). He received his PhD from the University of Potsdam (GER), where he trained under Prof. Michael Blaut in human gastrointestinal microbiology and on probiotics. In 2012 he received his lecturer qualification from the Justus Liebig University of Giessen on gastrointestinal microbiology where he is associated professor. In 2003 he joined the Institute of Microecology in Herborn, where he serves currently as CEO and CSO.

Targeting Microbiota 2024 Speakers Line-up.

International Society of Microbiota
Targeting Microbiota 2024 Conference
October 14-15, 2024 - Malta
Press Releases | Newsletters Archive | LinkedIn