On September 29, 2015, Taconic Biosciences' Advancing Microbiome Research Symposium: Microbiome & Mice featured an agenda with academic and life science industry scientists that discussed one of the most exciting topics in life science today, the impact of the microbiome on translational research.
Highlights from the Symposium
Scientists presented and discussed how their research has impacted the field of microbiome study and the future direction of their research. Speakers included practical tips for challenging experimental setups, including working with germ-free mice. Below is a summary of what was discussed:
- How composition of the microbiota affects immune responses
- How to control for microbiota effects
- The role of microbiome in disease states, including autoimmune disease and sepsis
- Differences in microbiota between commercial and academic facilities
- Impact of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria
- Specific considerations for working with germ-free animals
Symposium Presentation Topics
- Impact of microbiota on immune response – Dr. Ivaylo Ivanov, Columbia University
- The gut immune response in germ-free C57BL/6 mice colonized with a human microbiota – Dr. Randi Lundberg, Taconic Biosciences
- CD4 T cell reconstitution and function after sepsis is modulated by the microbiome – Dr. Thomas Griffith, University of Minnesota
- Intestinal microbiota in immune mediated liver injury (IMLI) – Dr. James Gorham, University of Virginia
- Mice with a defined flora (three strict obligate anerobes gram positive bacterium): effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) – Dr. Edward Carter, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Exploiting the immune response to illuminate host-microbiota interactions – Dr. Noah W. Palm, Yale University School of Medicine
- Unique characteristics of germ-free mice – Dr. Tamara Goode, Director, Animal Models Core, University of Pennsylvania
