Status: Sequencing
The microbiota, during the postnatal period, plays a key role in the development of the immune system and in the regulation of its activity. Previous work from the Lab has shown that a neonatal window of opportunity exists during which the expanding microbiota in the gut leads to a strong immune reaction, termed the weaning reaction. This reaction plays a crucial role in the maturation of the immune system, and induces healthy imprinting, characterized by low susceptibility to pathological inflammation in adulthood.In its absence, as a consequence of antibiotic administration or a high-fat diet, the resulting dysbiosis leads to the development of pathological imprinting, characterized by higher susceptibility to pathologic inflammation in the adult, such as colitis, allergic reactions or colorectal cancer. This project aims to identify gut microbiota-derived molecules that influence the neonatal immune system and thereby exert long-lasting effects by modifying the epigenetic landscape of immune genes.
Submitted: 2026-08-13 17:15 · Last updated: 2026-08-13 17:15