The role of microbial oxylipins in the microbe-host dialogue
OMIT aims to examine the role of microbial Oxylipins in the MIcrobiome:hosT dialogue. Oxylipins liberated from the oxidation of fatty acids are appreciated as key chemical signals perceived by both microbe and man. Human oxylipins (hOXY), comprising eicosanoids, docosanoids and octadecanoids are well characterised; they are implicit in many biochemical and signalling pathways in humans, including cell migration, proliferation, chemotaxis, immune reactions and most importantly, they are key regulators of inflammation. However, the diversity, functions, impact and mechanistic roles of microbially derived oxylipins (mOXY) are not well understood. State-of-the-art ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) platforms (secondment at Waters MS Headquarters, UK) will be developed and validated for oxylipin analysis in faecal samples and bacterial supernatants derived from co-incubation experiments (i.e. bacteria and oxlipin precursor). The latter will facilitate the discovery of novel mOXY. Additional bacterial biofilm assays will be performed to examine the role of mOXY in microbe-microbe interactions. To determine the contribution of mOXY in health and disease, biobanked samples from healthy volunteers and Crohns disease patients will be analysed. In vitro cell culture experiments and gene expression profiling will determine the function of mOXY in microbe-host interactions. During this project, the applicant will receive high quality training through research that will significantly improve scientific knowledge and provide a strong platform for building an independent research career. In line with the Work Programme for the MSCA fellowships, the knowledge and competencies gained by the applicant will add to developing her potential to achieve professional maturity and leadership in the field so that she may continue to make significant contributions to society and the economy.