In this insightful webinar, Sean H. Adams, MS, PhD, delves into the complex world of gut microbiota and the critical role of metabolites produced by these bacteria in human health. Professor Adams, a founder of XenoMet, initiates the discussion by explaining the vast number and genetic complexity of gut bacteria, highlighting their equivalence to or even surpassing the number of human cells. He emphasizes the microbiota’s influence on a wide array of physiological functions, shaped by factors ranging from diet and physical fitness to medical history.
A key question Professor Adams explores is how gut bacteria communicate their effects to the human host, leading into a broader discussion on probiotics and fermented foods. While these approaches support a healthy microbiome, complexities remain in understanding how they work and how to personalize their use.
The primary focus is on xenometabolomics—the study of foreign metabolites from microbes—and how these metabolites significantly influence physiological processes. Professor Adams also investigates the “us versus them” scenario in the metabolome, tracing the origins and impacts of thousands of metabolites found in the bloodstream.
Professor Adams discusses limitations in studying gut bacteria and metabolites, introducing new technology like the ‘cap scan,’ which tracks metabolomics throughout the GI tract. The session concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the function of metabolites and bacteria, setting the stage for future advances in nutraceuticals, microbiome-based therapeutics, and biomarker development.
Quick insights
- Brief gut microbiota overview: The gut microbiota consists of trillions of bacteria that have tremendous metabolic potential, affecting various physiological systems like the immune system, brain function, liver, and kidney health.
- Xeno metabolomics: Dr. Adams introduces the emerging field of xeno metabolomics, which focuses on metabolites in the bloodstream that originate from gut bacteria, significantly influencing overall health.
- The big question: He highlights how diet only moderately influences the microbiota’s structure, but its metabolites—xeno metabolites—play a larger role in determining health outcomes.
- Research insights: Ongoing studies, such as the collaboration with Purdue University and Taiwan National University, delve into understanding the effects of fiber supplements like inulin on microbial metabolites.
Featured expert: Sean Adams, MS, PhD, FTOS
Sean Adams, MS, PhD, FTOS, is a Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research in the UC Davis Department of Surgery. He is also the founding Scientific Director of the Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science, focusing on metabolic physiology, nutrition science, and gut microbial metabolites. During his career, he has been involved in research programs awarded over $130M, including $25M+ in NIH and USDA grants since joining UC Davis in 2020. Dr. Adams is an Associate Editor for Advances in Nutrition and a Fellow of the Obesity Society. His academic background includes degrees from Cal State Fresno, UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Illinois, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Barcelona and the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He has also worked in R&D at Genentech, Novartis, and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, and recently founded XenoMet, a start-up focused on health products derived from natural metabolites produced by gut microbes and probiotics.
Video highlights
00:00 – Introduction
Introduction to Professor Adams and his role as a founder of XenoMet. He explains the company’s focus on gut microbiota and the critical metabolites these bacteria produce.
00:33 – Overview of the microbiota
A detailed explanation of gut microbiota, emphasizing its vastness and genetic complexity. Discussion includes how factors such as diet, physical fitness, surgeries, and illnesses influence microbiota and their role in supporting physiological functions.
02:10 – The big question: how do gut bacteria affect us?
Exploration of how gut bacteria convey their effects to the human host. This includes the complexities of personalizing probiotics, fermented foods, and other approaches to supporting a healthy microbiome.
03:20 – Learning objectives
The session focuses on understanding xenometabolomics, exploring the metabolome’s “us versus them” scenario, and discussing the bioactivities of xenometabolites and their links to health.
04:06 – What is xenometabolomics?
Introduction to xenometabolomics as the study of biochemical products in our bodies derived from external sources like microbes. Diet impacts gut microbiota modestly but greatly influences the metabolites produced.
14:11 – The metabolome
A discussion of how many of our bodily metabolites originate from gut bacteria versus human cells. Insights from studies that compare metabolites in blood plasma and fecal matter, highlighting complexities in correlating bacterial phyla with metabolite variability.
18:00 – Limitations in the field
Challenges in gut microbiota research, such as the reliance on stool samples which do not fully represent bacterial populations throughout the entire GI tract. Introduction of ‘cap scan’ technology for better metabolomics tracking.
21:48 – Xenometabolites: Bioactivities and health links
Exploration of cataloging metabolites and the focus on understanding specific metabolites and bacteria, which could lead to targeted zenometabolite supplementation for health improvement.
27:18 – Final thoughts
Emphasizes the importance of understanding metabolic functions of gut bacteria and the impact of xenometabolism on future nutraceuticals, microbiome-based therapeutics, and biomarker development.
Resources
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References
- Conlon, M. A., & Bird, A. R. (2015). The impact of diet and lifestyle on gut microbiota and human health. Nutrients, 7(1), 17-44. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7010017
- Korpela, K., Flint, H. J., Johnstone, A. M., Lappi, J., Poutanen, K., Dewulf, E., … & Duncan, S. H. (2014). Gut microbiota signatures predict host and microbial responses to dietary interventions in obese individuals. PLoS One, 9(3), e90702. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090702
- Schwiertz, A., Taras, D., Schäfer, K., Beijer, S., Bos, N. A., Donus, C., & Hardt, P. D. (2010). Microbiota and SCFA in lean and overweight healthy subjects. Obesity, 18(1), 190-195. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2009.167
- Turnbaugh, P. J., Ridaura, V. K., Faith, J. J., Rey, F. E., Knight, R., & Gordon, J. I. (2009). The effect of diet on the human gut microbiome: A metagenomic analysis in humanized gnotobiotic mice. Science Translational Medicine, 1(6), 6ra14. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3000322