TAMPA, Fla. — Microbiomes impact everything from metabolism to immunity. Now, the University of South Florida's new Institute of Microbiomes is looking into how these tiny organisms can be used to improve our health and the environment.
What You Need To Know
- USF recently established the Institute of Microbiomes
- The institute is a multidisciplinary effort across university departments
- Research includes studying whether microbiome can be modified to prevent COVID-19 in people with type 2 diabetes
- The institute is also meant to promote partnerships with industry and international collaboration
"The USF Institute on Microbiomes is really merging within USF all departments, all colleges, all scientists, medical doctors, working in very different fields to provide another approach to microbiomes and to design new strategies to prevent disease and to cure disease," said Dr. Christian Brechot, the institute's director.
Brechot said the concept of microbiomes is nothing new and neither is research into it. However, he said that interdisciplinary approach is what makes the USF effort unique.
"As the university's key constituent in this groundbreaking area of research, USF Health looks forward to accelerating microbiome discoveries and learning opportunities and applying this new knowledge to solve some of the most challenging real-world health problems," Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health is quoted as saying in a news release.
According to Brechot, the technology now available to researchers will allow them to make modifications to the microbiome in an effort improve health. For example, he said one current study is examining whether modifying microbiomes in patients with type 2 diabetes through nutrition can help prevent COVID-19.
Another study is testing how microbiomes in the soil can influence food quality.
Brechot also said multiple studies are looking into how microbiomes can be used to fight neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
"The USF Institute for Microbiomes will unite investigators with different perspectives, both within and outside USF, to create strong cross-disciplinary teams and provide shared resources needed to garner external grants, contracts and other funding sources," Lockwood said in the release.