PhD defence

Towards Gut Microbiome-Based Stratification of Dietary Intervention Strategies

PhD candidate Z (Zhuang) Liu MSc
Promotor prof.dr. H (Hauke) Smidt
Co-promotor dr. EG (Erwin) Zoetendal
External copromotor dr. Jacoline Gerritsen
Organisation Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology
Date

Thu 14 September 2023 11:00 to 12:30

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

Summary

Emerging evidence has suggested that the collection of microbes in our digestive system, called the gut microbiome, plays an essential role in human health and well-being. Dietary intervention has been recognised as a robust modulation strategy targeting the gut microbiome with the ambition to prevent or treat disorders/diseases and eventually improve human health and quality of life. However, due to the considerable inter-individual variability between subjects, especially in the gut microbiome, universal dietary recommendations (e.g., increasing fibre intake) demonstrated to have different effects in different subjects, with only a fraction of subjects benefiting from it. Using faecal samples taken from healthy individuals and patients with gut diseases, this thesis aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of identifying those who could benefit from certain dietary interventions based on their gut microbiome signatures. The findings contribute to paving the way for personalised nutrition.