The Novacene Microbiome
Abstract:
Medical practices and sanitation spare us from dying from bacterial infections. Sanitation has enabled humans to live in big cities, controlling epidemics. However, antimicrobial practices impair the transmission of the human microbiome and have developmental consequences. Antibiotics in early life and C-section births are associated with increased risk of the same chronic diseases rocketing in industrialized societies. Urban diseases have 2 explanatory hypotheses, the hygiene hypothesis involving environmental microbes, and the disappearing microbiota hypothesis. In this talk, I will show evidence that support both hypotheses. C-section impairs human microbiome transfer, and in humans it also entitles antibiotics. In mice, C-section alters metabolic and immune phenotypes. The microbiota of human babies discordant to birth mode cause differences in immune phenotypes in mice. Restoration after C-section birth partially normalizes the microbiota in humans and in mice.
Industrialization is associated with loss of microbiota diversity. But antibiotics, and C-sections births are needed and will continue to be used, even if rationally. We need deep understanding of microbial biology to discover effective ways of restoration, and we need to preserve the current diversity of microbiotas globally, before it disappears. The health of future generations will rely on deep understanding of microbial biology and restoration.