Session 2

The microbiome has emerged as a key regulator of disease. A shift in the microbial community, or dysbiosis, is correlated with the development of cancer, immune and cardiovascular diseases, decreased mental abilities and other behavioral effects. Evidence suggests a strong interaction between the gut microbiome, the gut and the wellbeing of the host. The good microbiome is responsible for the production of a variety of compounds and interactions that are essential for the host’s health. The bad microbiome has been shown to be associated with an ever increasing number of diseases. One of the points discussed in this first of a two-part workshop, Gut Microbiome I, is a concept to assess risks associated with microbiome changes via the investigation of the microbiome’s functionality - defined as the production of metabolites absorbed by the host. Knowing which molecules are produced or altered by the gut microbiome, and how to detect these in the host will be addressed. Regarding the high inter- and intraspecies variability, also influenced by various external factors, it is essential to determine the gut microbiome’s composition, organization and the host-microbiome interactions. In this session, a combination of metabolomics, metagenomics and systems biology strategies will be discussed as an interdisciplinary approach to identify adverse effects on the microbiome that could lead to disease. In the subsequent Microbiome II workshop, mechanisms of microbial transformations and toxicological impact will be addressed in various contexts including food, drugs, the environment and risk assessment.