The research talk above features John Cryan, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience at University College Cork, Ireland, discussing his research on how the gut microbiome impacts human health.
There are trillions of microbes living in our gastrointestinal tract, and together they make up the gut microbiome, which helps our body digest food, and has a major influence on our immune system. Scientists like Cryan are learning more about the other effects that the microbiome has; research has shown that there is a connection between the microbiome and the development of the brain, while other work has indicated that the microbiome impacts stress disorders such as depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome.
This work occurs at the intersection of multiple fields including behavioral sciences, molecular biology, and neuroscience. These investigators often use mouse models, human fecal samples and advanced genetic techniques to assess the microbial populations in their research. Learn more from the video.
Sources: The Journal of Physiology, Neuropsychopharmacology
