The role of mucus in the cross-talk between gut bacteria and the host
Lead Research Organisation:
QUADRAM INSTITUTE BIOSCIENCE
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Our core-research focuses on the study of the molecular mechanisms mediating the interaction between gut bacteria and the mucus layer. We are especially interested in the role played by bacterial adhesins (e.g. mucus binding proteins) and enzymes (e.g. carbohydrate–active enzymes, CAZymes) from major gut symbionts. Our project aims to define the nature and specificity of the interaction and characterize bacterial effectors and mucus receptors (e.g. mucin glycans) at the molecular and structural level. The experimental approaches include functional and comparative genomics, transciptomics, metabolomics, complemented by detailed molecular enzymology and structural studies of bacterial adhesins and CAZymes. Another aspect of our core-research is to define what constitutes a functional mucus layer and how it influences/is influenced by the host mucosal immune system and the microbiota. Here we rely on the use of specific mouse models (with alterations in immune and epithelium cells, microbiota composition) and the development of ex vivo intestinal cell models to assess the impact of bacteria interaction to mucus on the host, using histoimmunochemistry, confocal microscopy, gene expression studies and complemented by glycomics approach to analyse changes in mucin structure and function.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- QUADRAM INSTITUTE BIOSCIENCE (Lead Research Organisation)
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (Collaboration)
- Iceni Diagnostics (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA (Collaboration)
- Diamond Light Source (Collaboration)
- University of Naples (Collaboration)
- University of California (Collaboration)
- NutriLeads (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- Hannover Medical School (Collaboration)
- University of Alberta (Collaboration)
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Seconda Università di Napoli (Collaboration)
- John Innes Centre (Collaboration)
- University of Oxford (Collaboration)
- Clasado BioSciences (Collaboration)
- Glycom A/S (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF KENT (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nathalie Juge (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Bell A
(2019)
A special sugar: how sialic acid impacts on metabolism, health and disease
in Microbiology Today
Bell A
(2019)
Elucidation of a sialic acid metabolism pathway in mucus-foraging Ruminococcus gnavus unravels mechanisms of bacterial adaptation to the gut
in Nature Microbiology
Bell A
(2021)
Mucosal glycan degradation of the host by the gut microbiota
in Glycobiology
Bell A
(2020)
Uncovering a novel molecular mechanism for scavenging sialic acids in bacteria.
in The Journal of biological chemistry
Bell A
(2023)
Biochemical and structural basis of sialic acid utilization by gut microbes
in Journal of Biological Chemistry
Bene KP
(2017)
Lactobacillus reuteri Surface Mucus Adhesins Upregulate Inflammatory Responses Through Interactions With Innate C-Type Lectin Receptors.
in Frontiers in microbiology
CAZypedia Consortium
(2018)
Ten years of CAZypedia: a living encyclopedia of carbohydrate-active enzymes.
in Glycobiology
Cervera-Tison M
(2012)
Functional Analysis of Family GH36 a-Galactosidases from Ruminococcus gnavus E1: Insights into the Metabolism of a Plant Oligosaccharide by a Human Gut Symbiont
in Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Coletto E
(2022)
The role of the mucin-glycan foraging Ruminococcus gnavus in the communication between the gut and the brain
in Gut Microbes
Crost E
(2018)
Mechanistic Insights Into the Cross-Feeding of Ruminococcus gnavus and Ruminococcus bromii on Host and Dietary Carbohydrates
in Frontiers in Microbiology
| Description | This research identified important enzymes and proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism in the human gut. These include glycoenzymes from gut bacteria and bacterial adhesins shown to be important for the ability of gut bacteria to interact with the host. We have notably discovered novel enzyme activities in our gut bacteria which help beneficial bacteria to colonise our gut . We have developed methods underpinning the synthesis of the product of the enzymatic reaction and tested its potential as a next-generation prebiotics targeting mucus-associated gut symbionts. We have been able to genetically manipulate some of these strains. We have identified microbial gene clusters required for the spatial adaptation of bacteria in the gut. We also showed the importance of specific cell-surface proteins present on beneficial bacteria in the adhesion to the gut wall, biofilm formation, host adaptation, and communication with the host immune system and demonstrated the role of glycans in this process. |
| Exploitation Route | Specific carbohydrate-active enzymes from gut bacteria could be used as potential biomarkers of health and diseases and therapeutics. Specific carbohydrate-active enzymes from gut bacteria could be used as a tool to modulate the gut microbial community. Specific carbohydrate-active enzymes from gut bacteria could be developed as anti-infective strategies against pathogens . Specific carbohydrate-active enzymes from gut bacteria could be used as a tool for glycan analysis and synthesis. Specific carbohydrates could be used as next-generation prebiotics to target mucus-associated gut bacteria. Specific microbial genes could be used as biomarkers of health and disease. Specific bacterial adhesins could be used to target different sites of the gastrointestinal tract to enhance drug delivery systems. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | We have published two patent applications and are actively engaged with QIB Business Team to take our technology forward. |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Description | Glyco 2030: A Roadmap for Glycoscience in Europe |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Increased awareness of the role of glycosciences in biology. Several International Training Programmes in the field of glycobiology have since been funded by EU H2020. |
| URL | https://glycopedia.eu/IMG/pdf/glyco_2030_a_roadmap_for_glycoscience_in_europe.pdf |
| Description | BBSRC IAA |
| Amount | £11,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| End | 05/2021 |
| Description | BBSRC IAA The Quadram Institute |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506679/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | BBSRC ITAS International Travel Award Scheme |
| Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 10/2021 |
| Description | BBSRC Impact Accelerator Account |
| Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506679/1 |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | BSAC grant programme- COVID-19 Focussed Call 2020 |
| Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2020 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | Clinical seedcorn |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Development of a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early-detection of colorectal cancer |
| Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 22PT00059 |
| Organisation | Bowel Cancer UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Development of multi-step enzymatic routes for the synthesis of sialic acid derivatives |
| Amount | £103,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IBCarb-PoC-0315-009 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 05/2016 |
| Description | EDESIA PhD studentship |
| Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Evaluation of HMOs on gut barrier function |
| Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Glycom A/S |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Denmark |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 07/2019 |
| Description | Evaluation of the impact of HMOs on gut barrier function |
| Amount | £122,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Glycom A/S |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Denmark |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 01/2019 |
| Description | GlycoCell |
| Amount | £10,082,928 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/Y008472/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 01/2029 |
| Description | Glycoenzymes for Bioindustries |
| Amount | £1,243,310 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/M029034/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | Glytunes |
| Amount | £2,500,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 956758 |
| Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Integrated Models of the Human Gut- Capital Grant Award for 2021/22 Investment Gateway Panel Business Cases. |
| Amount | £1,152,556 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | International Exchanges 2019 Cost Share (NSFC) - IEC\NSFC\191523 |
| Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Investigating the mechanisms of Fusobacterium nucleatum adaption to the colorectal cancer tumour microenvironment |
| Amount | £130,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Big C Cancer Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | KEC PoC grant New human colon-intestine-chip model |
| Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | MMB DTP |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 09/2026 |
| Description | Mucin-derived sialic acid metabolism in gut bacteria |
| Amount | £549,580 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P008895/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | NRP DTP studentship |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | NRPDTP |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2024 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | NRPDTP VitB12 |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 09/2019 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2016 |
| End | 10/2020 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 10/2021 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Norwich Research Park Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2018 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | Nutrileads project |
| Amount | £33,350 (GBP) |
| Organisation | NutriLeads |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 08/2020 |
| Description | Role of Vitamin B12 in sustaining trophic interactions between human gut symbionts |
| Amount | £532,245 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V01093X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | Training interdisciplinary glycoscientists to get a molecular- level grip on glycocodes at the human mucosa-microbiota |
| Amount | £466,300 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 814102 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 01/2019 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | Training on lung-on-chip technology |
| Amount | £224,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2021 |
| End | 06/2022 |
| Description | Uncovering the molecular strategies that allow human gut symbionts to degrade insoluble dietary and host glycans |
| Amount | £391,303 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/L008602/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | international partnering award USA |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Title | DEEP-STD NMR |
| Description | Our collaboration with Jesus Angulo at UEA led to the development of a new way of analysing how drugs interact with molecules throough adaptation of a technique known as ligand-based Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This method could to lead to stronger and more selective drug candidates. |
| URL | https://quadram.ac.uk/completing-drug-design-jigsaw/ |
| Title | Gut-on-chip model |
| Description | Set up of gut organoid on chip model using intestinal biospy samples. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Improved physiological model to assess gut barrier function and immune response to food or microbial derived compounds |
| Title | Membrane-enclosed multienzyme (MEME) synthesis of 2,7-anhydro-sialic acid derivatives. |
| Description | A facile one-pot two-enzyme approach has been established for the synthesis of 2,7-anhydro-sialic acid derivatives including those containing different sialic acid forms such as Neu5Ac and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). This synthetic method, which is based on a membrane-enclosed enzymatic synthesis, can be performed on a preparative scale. Using fetuin as a substrate, high-yield and cost-effective production of 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac was obtained to high-purity. This method was also applied to the synthesis of 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Gc. The membrane-enclosed multienzyme (MEME) strategy reported here provides an efficient approach to produce a variety of sialic acid derivatives. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The method allowed to produce 2,7-anhydro-sialic acid derivatives (not commercially available) in amount and purity allowing further mechanistic studies and exploring applications in the health sector |
| Description | Campylobacter molecular microbiology |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of strains for testing on our gut-on-chip models |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided mutant/transgenic strains of Campylobacter |
| Impact | Preliminary data . Proposal in preparation |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Carbohydrate analysis |
| Organisation | John Innes Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supervised and coordinated research project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided expertise and access to NMR facility |
| Impact | WO2017134466A1. Patent Application on intramolecular trans-sialidase; Carbohydr Res. 2017 Nov 8;451:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2017.08.008. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Carbohydrate synthesis |
| Organisation | University of California |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Utilised carbohydrates provided by collaborator in scientific research projects |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided bespoke carbohydrates upon request |
| Impact | Carbohydr Res. 2017 Nov 8;451:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2017.08.008; Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 19;8(1):2196. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02109-8. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Chemical biology-Siglec |
| Organisation | University of Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Used cell lines provided by collaborator to complement our biological investigations on the role of lectins in the interaction with bacteria associated with colon cancer |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided cell lines to complement our lines of investigations on the role of Siglecs on bacteria-host immune response |
| Impact | Manuscript submitted Phd thesis completed |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collabration with Industry |
| Organisation | Glycom A/S |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise on mucus biology and gut barrier function |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of human milk oligosaccharides for testing |
| Impact | Confidential |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Covid-19 testing |
| Organisation | Public Health England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Contributed to the grant application as subcontractor |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to grant application as partner |
| Impact | Secured subcontract as part of US FDA grant application for the further development of organ-on-chip technology to test coronavirus |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Glycoimmunology |
| Organisation | University of Dundee |
| Department | Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of ideas and findings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of ideas and materials/member of Supervisory PhD Commiteee |
| Impact | Joint abstracts to Conferences (posters and oral presentations) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Health ingredient company |
| Organisation | NutriLeads |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Test effect of plant-derived polysaccharides on gut barrier function |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided compounds to be tested Funded project |
| Impact | Report to the company |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | IVOC |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Department | School of Medicine UEA |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided expertise/knowledge in mucus biology and gut symbionts. Provided material to study bacteria-mucus interaction using IVOC (including bacterial strains and antibodies). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided expertise/knowledge in cell biology in particular in vitro organ culture to study bacterial pathogen interactions. |
| Impact | Joint PhD studentships. Joint publications: Cell Microbiol. 2017 Jun;19(6). doi: 10.1111/cmi.12717; Front Microbiol. 2016 Mar 1;7:244. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00244 |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Iceni |
| Organisation | Iceni Diagnostics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Supervision of research project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided industry placement to post-doctoral scientists working on the project |
| Impact | Carbohydr Res. 2017 Nov 8;451:110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2017.08.008. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Lactobacillus |
| Organisation | University of Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supervision of projects on molecular/structural mechanisms of Lactobacillus reuteri adaptation/adhesion to the gut . . |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supervision of projects on ecology of Lactobacillus reuteri adaptation to the host. |
| Impact | BMC Genomics. 2015 Dec 1;16:1023. doi: 10.1186/s12864-015-2216-7;PLoS Genet. 2013;9(12):e1004057. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004057; PLoS Genet. 2011 Feb;7(2):e1001314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001314; Microbiology. 2010 Nov;156(Pt 11):3368-78. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.043265-0. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Microbial carbohydrate chemistry |
| Organisation | University of Naples |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided biological context and material to study microbial polysaccharide-lectin interactions by STD NMR to complement our research studies |
| Collaborator Contribution | Carried out STD NNMR analyses of lectins and microbial polysaccharides we provided |
| Impact | Joint publication and manuscript Provision of data for PhD theses (on both sites) Contribution to successful Innovative Training Network (ITN) funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Microbial polysaccharides |
| Organisation | Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Seconda Università di Napoli |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Provided collaborator with bacterial samples to be analyses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Purified bacterial cell surface polysaccharides and analysed glycosylation chemical structures |
| Impact | Joint Abstract describing the collaborative work to Conference |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Prebiotic SME |
| Organisation | Clasado BioSciences |
| Country | Jersey |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Testing of prebiotic compounds on gut microbiota and gut barrier function |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided study product, human resource, expert knowledge |
| Impact | INFORM grant (BIV) on going |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | STD-NMR |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Department | Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine UEA |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provided proteins and ligands for analysis by STD NMR to complement some of our data on mechanisms of host-bacteria interactions. This collaboration resulted in high impact joint publications led by QIB (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 pii: 201715016; Nat Commun. 2017 ;8(1):2196) |
| Collaborator Contribution | STD- NMR analysis of proteins and ligands we provided. Some of this work led to the development of DEEP STD NMR, leading to a joint publication led by UEA (Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2017 56:15289-15293). |
| Impact | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 pii: 201715016; Nat Commun. 2017 ;8(1):2196; Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2017 56:15289-15293 |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Sialic acid recognition |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Department | Department of Biology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Initiated collaboration on sialic acid transport and metabolism in bacteria |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided materials and contributed to data analysis |
| Impact | Scientific publications |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Sialobiology |
| Organisation | Hannover Medical School |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Presented unpublished data to collaborator |
| Collaborator Contribution | Feedback on data |
| Impact | Manuscript in preparation |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Structural biology |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Oxford Hub |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Identified and functionally characterised a novel enzyme activity in gut bacteria |
| Collaborator Contribution | Crystallisation of metabolic enzyme involved in carbohydrate utilisation by bacteria |
| Impact | Manuscript in preparation 3D Structure |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Synchrotron Oxford |
| Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Provided collaborator with proteins and ligands for X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM |
| Collaborator Contribution | X-ray crystallography of proteins free and in complex |
| Impact | Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 19;8(1):2196. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02109-8. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Vitamin B12 Biology |
| Organisation | University of Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| PI Contribution | Secured a joint PhD studentship and grant |
| Collaborator Contribution | Input into grant applications and supervisory expertise |
| Impact | Secured a joint PhD studentship and grant |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | X-ray crystallography- UEA |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supervision of projects investigating mechanisms of adhesions of gut bacteria with the host. |
| Collaborator Contribution | X-ray crystallography of bacterial adhesins |
| Impact | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Mar 5. pii: 201715016. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1715016115; Mol Microbiol. 2014 May;92(3):543-56. doi: 10.1111/mmi.12574; Environ Microbiol. 2014 Mar;16(3):888-903. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12377;J Biol Chem. 2009 Nov 20;284(47):32444-53. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.040907. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | microaerobic models |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided material and knowledge on gut commensal-mucus interactions |
| Collaborator Contribution | Development of a microaerophilic models system to investigate gut commensal-host interactions |
| Impact | Oral presentations to Conferences and Conference proceedings |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | INTRAMOLECULAR TRANS-SIALIDASE |
| Description | The present invention relates to an intramolecular frans-sialidase (IT-sialidase) enzyme from Ruminococcus gnavus and fragments thereof. It also relates to methods of production of the IT- sialidase or its fragments, in addition to uses of the IT-sialidase, its fragments, or compositions comprising the IT-sialidase. One of the uses of the IT-sialidase or its fragments encompassed by the present invention is a method for production of 2,7-anhydro sialic acid derivatives. Further uses of the IT-sialidase enzyme include the therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of infections and respiratory conditions. |
| IP Reference | WO2017134466 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | In progress |
| Description | 4th Annual European Microbiome Congress |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Attendance to 4th Annual European Microbiome Congress. This Conference has a high representation from the Industry: Pharmaceutical companies and Biotechnology companies and provided an excellent opportunity to make contact and discuss work relevant to the Institute Strategic Programmes. The PROMOTING WOMEN IN SCIENCE lunch session was inspiring. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Academia-Industry Networking CarboMet event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I co-organised and chaired a two day workshop on 'The Role of Carbohydrates in the Gut Microbiome' June 2018 in Brussels attended by 40 delegates from academia and industry as apart of CarboMet. CarboMet (Metrology of Carbohydrates for European Bioindustries) is a four-year Coordination and Support Action (CSA) funded by Horizon 2020 FET-OPEN. It is an European Network that facilitates engagement between key players and stakeholders of the glycoscience community across Europe to identify the current state of the art and in particular future innovation and technological challenges in carbohydrate metrology. I co-wrote and edited the CarboMet positioning paper on 'The Essential Roles of Carbohydrates in Promoting Gut Microbiota Function Through All Stages of Life' which summarises discussions that took place during the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://carbomet.eu/news/positioning-paper-on-role-of-carbohydrates-in-gut-microbiota-function/ |
| Description | BBSRC Gut-Brain axis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert group to discuss UKRI BBSRC Bioscience for Integrated Understanding of Health (BIUH) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | CRUK-led workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | CRUK Tumour explants workshop |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | CarboMet event (Barcelona) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Participation into CarboMet workshop with the view to:1.Establish a European Glycoscience User Group (EU-GUG) 2.Identify Common Scientific and Technical Challenges 3.Establish a Common Vision, Roadmap for 2030 and an Associated Implementation Plan 4.Through Knowledge Exchange Activities Facilitate the Formation of a Cross- Sectorial Glycoscience Metrology Platform 5.Establish Parallel Initiatives to Address Key Glycoscience Challenges |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://carbomet.eu/ |
| Description | External presentation (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The purpose of the presentation was to explore ground for scientific collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Genome Analysis of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC53608 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The oral presentation (20 min) to the Friends of the JIC was under the TGAC banner and was followed by informal discussions with the attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/whats-on/fojic/ |
| Description | Glycobiology Network Latin America |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Workshop on Glycobiology of host-microbe interactions in the gut. Biotechnology and glycobiology tools for human health, Guanajuato, Mexico, 9-11/10/2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | IBCarb |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Contributed to the final IBCarb workshop Glycobiotechnology 2018. IBCarb (Glycoscience Tools for Biotechnology and Bioenergy) is a growing network of glycoscientists from academia and industry. IBCarb was one of the Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy funded by the BBSRC. The workshop was very successful and attracted around 150 attendees (international audience from academia and industry) . This was an opportunity to showcase the Glycosciences carried out in the UK and in partnership with industrial/business partners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://ibcarb.com/events/ |
| Description | NNUH Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of a poster describing our study on the influence of human milk oligosaccharides on gut barrier function in collaboration with gastroenterologists from NNUH and NRP biorepository |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Nature café event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with researchers and policy makers interested in the microbiome and/or probiotics and prebiotics, editors from relevant Nature journals and Yakult representatives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Participation into School visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Raven Reynolds gave a careers talk at Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form (a specialist maths and science sixth form) The talk was open to students (16-18yrs) and staff |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | School visit (Norwich) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk and Discussion about 'What is it like to be a Scientist?' from a female perspective |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Science Festival Norwich |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation around 'Mucus and gut microbes: a sweet relationship to keep us healthy' stand and poster , interactive activities and discussions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/ |
| Description | Science Festival in Norwich |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of an interactive stand and posters at the Science Festival at the Norwich Cathedral on 'Mucus and gut microbes: a sweet relationship to keep us healthy' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Sugars and the maintenance of a healthy GI tract |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The oral presentation (20 min) on Carbohydrates "Sugars: more than just calories" was followed by lively informal discussions with attendees . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/whats-on/fojic/ |
| Description | What makes our gut bacteria stick? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The oral presentation was followed by a Q&A session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Workshop AMR |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | GlycoAMR - Seed Meeting, French Embassy London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |