Grant: Network Catalyst - Infection and Immunity (III)

There are ten times as many bacterial cells in our body than human cells. This community of microorganisms (called the microbiome) plays an important role in influencing human health. For example, in our gut, bacteria aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, keeping dangerous microbes in check and directing our defense system's response. Thus, the understanding of how the microbiome contributes to human health is of great importance. Understanding the human microbiome is a daunting task because of its complexity. First, there are very different communities of bacteria present in different parts of the body. Second, these bacterial communities arise from different initial sources and interact with the human defense system in different ways. Third, the human microbiome is affected by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Finally, people living in different areas of the world have different bacteria living in and on them. These and other factors require that the study of the microbiome should be approached from a global health perspective. We propose the establishment of MIMI, the Maternal-Infant Microbiome and Immunity Network. This network is centered on how the microbiome and immune system interact in the mother and child, as the mother is the initial source of the child's microbiome. MIMI will formalize the collaboration of three groups with expertise in paediatrics and immunology, maternal health and probiotics, and DNA sequencing and data analysis. By bringing these groups with complementary expertise together, MIMI will amplify each group's strength, build research capacity in the field of microbiome analysis, and to transfer knowledge and thus inform maternal and child health policy. MIMI will contribute towards self-sustainability by making Network Members competitive for national and international funding.