Faglige nøgleord: Gut microbiome, Bacteria, Microbiology, Metabolism, Gene regulation, Experiments, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Diet, Nutrition, Human health
Oplæg tilgængeligt på: Dansk og engelsk
The human gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. This community is shaped by many factors - including diet, lifestyle, age, and medication -and has emerged as a central player in human health. The gut microorganisms produce a wide range of metabolites, which are small molecules that can enter the bloodstream and influence physiological processes throughout the body. These metabolites can be either beneficial or harmful. Notably, certain harmful metabolites are elevated in the blood of people with conditions such as heart-disease, diabetes and obesity compared to healthy individuals. Reducing their production in the gut may therefore be a way to prevent or manage these diseases. Given that diet is a major external determinant of both microbiome composition and its metabolic activity, it represents a promising avenue for modulating the levels of these metabolites. My PhD project focuses on how we can use our diet to regulate the gut microbiota’s production of these metabolites. The goal is to generate knowledge that can be used to make dietary guidelines to improve public health.
During my visit, I will:
Introduce the students to the gut microbiota and its role in human health.
Explain how our daily choices (especially diet) can support a healthy gut.
Share insights from my research in an accessible and engaging way.
Talk about my personal journey from high school to becoming a PhD student at DTU, including what it's like to work in research.