Factors driving mother-to-infant microbiota transfer

ended

Human microbiota has vital effects on human health and physiology. Gut microbiota alteration has been linked to risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as allergy, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. NCDs are increasing and account for more than 41 million people deaths per year (71% of all deaths globally), being more critical in infants. Early microbial colonization of the GIT is essential for an optimal health, thus, altered microbial colonization patterns have been linked to an increased risk of NCDs. Mother-to-infant transfer of microbes is believed to be a crucial opportunity to pass on IM from one generation to another, representing a pivotal step in the development of the early infant gut microbiota. Much research to date has addressed the impact of the environment on the microbiota composition, nowadays, is time to go further and to define this mechanism in a compositional, functional and metabolic level. An in-depth understanding of the effect of maternal IM in the early life and its long-term impact is urgently needed. The EU is promoting actions developing new dietary solutions to improve public health, therefore, MicroMI aims to make a novel approach by using state-of-the-art methodologies already established within the host institution (CSIC) to reveal the mechanisms underlying this host-microbe interaction in the GIT development and maturation in early life. MicroMI adapts methods based on cutting-edge sequencing technologies to gain knowledge on probiotic-related issues. This project will positively impact on the European society and economy. Within MicroMi, the applicant will perform state-of-the-art research, will promote science as a career and gender equality and she will establish an innovative translation multidisciplinary programme. Funding of this action will allow the research applicant to foster and share her skills and reinforce herself as a mature and independent professional, starting to forge a stable career.