MBIO 689

Microbiota in Health and Disease

This is an advanced interdisciplinary graduate level class focused on composition of the microbiota and its role in health and various diseases from birth through death. These diseases include allergies, irritable bowel disease, metabolic diseases and cancer. Factors that influence composition of the microbiota, such as breast vs formula feeding infants, antibiotic treatment, diet in adulthood, hygiene, and the consequences on various diseases, such as obesity and metabolic diseases, will be discussed. The role of fecal transplants, probiotics and prebiotics in alleviating the harmful effects of imbalance of the microbiota will be discussed. Format: short lectures, analysis of pertinent high-profile papers. Graded

Units: 2.0