How C. elegans is Used in Microbiome Research
As our team prepares to head out to Probiota Americas in Chicago next week, we want to highlight recent studies showing how the nematode C. elegans is used in microbiome research. Below you will find links to papers showing that some bacterial strains promote healthy aging or modulate the gut-brain axis to slow down age-related cognitive decline or delay the molecular pathology of Parkinson’s disease. We have a few spots open to meet in Chicago in person, but if you can't make it and would like to know more about how we can help your microbiome studies, schedule a meeting with our Director of Research and Innovation.
Probiotics Promote Healthy Aging
Saito et al., (2023) recently published a study showing that the three probiotic strains found in a common Japanese oral formulation all extend lifespan in the nematode C. elegans. They found that one strain in particular, B. subtilis TO-A, increased the mean lifespan by 26% compared to the control. In addition, this research group found 59 potential metabolites produced by the probiotic strain that might be mechanistically linked to the increased lifespan of these worms. Check out the paper
Probiotics Delay Cognitive Decline
Higurashi et al., (2023) examined the effects of different probiotics belonging to the lactic acid bacteria group. They found several strains that delayed age-related cognitive decline. However, only one of these strains, an isolate of L. reuteri, slowed cognitive decline without changing the lifespan of the worms. This study shows that some probiotics can positively modulate the gut-brain axis without affecting other aspects of physiology. Check out the paper
E. coli HB101 Slows Down Neurodegeneration
Gaeta et al., (2023) looked at the effects of two E. coli strains on the molecular pathology of ⍺-synuclein in a worm model of Parkinson’s disease. The research group found that E. coli HB101, a common lab isolate, offered significant neuroprotection against toxic ⍺-synuclein aggregation compared to E. coli OP50. Using transcriptomics and RNAi, the researchers identified that endopeptidase activity and heme-associated pathways conferred HB101-associated neuroprotection. This work could help identify microbiome-based treatments for slowing Parkinson’s progression in humans. Check out the paper
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