Gut microbiome research funding recipients announced

Danone North America has selected this year’s recipients of the 2022–2023 Annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotic Fellowship Program. The recipients are Madison Adamthwaite of Harvard University and Nam Than of The University of Texas at Austin, each awarded $25,000 to conduct research to increase understanding of the gut microbiome, yoghurt and probiotics.

Yoghurt, probiotics and the gut microbiome may impact full-body health, including brain, digestive and immune function. Interest in probiotic-rich foods, immune health and gut health has soared, with research institutions pioneering ways to study its power, potential and influence. There is also interest in the connection between gut health and the immune system.

Miguel Freitas, Vice President of Health and Scientific Affairs, Danone North America, said, “Both Madison Adamthwaite and Nam Than are poised to conduct successful studies and have impactful careers that will contribute to meaningful scientific discoveries and expand our understanding of probiotics, the gut microbiome and human health.”

Nam Than’s research may help understanding of how next-generation probiotics (NGPs) play a role in maintaining gut homeostasis or disease prevention.

“Receiving the grant is both an honourable accomplishment and an important milestone. I am looking forward to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field of probiotics through this grant,” Than said. “I am excited about completing this research proposal as it will provide actionable biomedical knowledge for NGP development that could make a meaningful impact on human health.”

Madison Adamthwaite’s research aims to increase understanding of the biology of the gut microbiome while developing novel probiotics to improve health. Adamthwaite will identify the molecular mechanisms by which microbiome-derived metabolites alter health with a focus on gallic acid, a metabolite shown to protect from cardiovascular events and other health concerns.

Adamthwaite’s goal is to develop a novel probiotic capable of gallic acid overproduction to generate enriched yoghurt for health benefits.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be a recipient of the 2022–2023 Danone Fellowship Grant. Receiving this fellowship provides support for my research endeavours that are particularly focused on studying the vast array of metabolites produced by the gut microbiome,” Adamthwaite said.

According to Freitas, the field of probiotics and microbiome knowledge is evolving.

“The impact of the microbiome on human health is far-reaching, from benefits to our digestive and immune system, to playing a key role in our mind-body connection, which is why investments to better understand this unique ecosystem are so important,” Freitas said.

The Danone Fellowship Grant was established in 2010. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges with expertise in the field, based on the quality of their proposals, faculty recommendations and their studies’ value to human health and wellness.

Danone North America is a public benefit corporation (PBC) and B Corps. In collaboration with the White House Conference in late 2022, it committed to invest US$4m (AU$5.9m) to enhance nutrition and food security research by 2030. The 2023 Fellowship Grants for Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotic studies are a part of this commitment.

Image credit: iStock.com/Elena Nechaeva