Effects of Urbanization on Gut Microbiome in Laos

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15195
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45060:Applied anthropology-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Hiroaki Masuoka 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命医科学研究センター, 特別研究員 (00903692)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内マイクロバイオーム / メタゲノム解析 / 衛生仮説 / 近代化 / ラオス / 非感染性疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, contig binning analysis was performed using metagenomic data of the gut microbiota to construct bacterial draft genomes (MAG: metagenome-assembled genomes). By combining metagenomic data from Laos with publicly available data from developing countries, we comprehensively collected MAGs derived from the guts of people in developing countries. In addition, we integrated these with databases of MAGs from developed countries and successfully collected over 10,000 high-quality MAGs. Based on economic indicator information attached to some of the metagenomic data, statistical analysis was performed, allowing us to estimate strains that fluctuate with economic development. Evaluation of the distribution across different disease cohorts revealed strains that consistently increased in several diseases.

Free Research Field

腸内微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、発展途上国の腸内微生物叢から高品質なドラフトゲノム（MAG）を構築することで、腸内細菌の多様性理解を深めることに貢献し、グローバルな微生物データベースの拡充に繋がる研究だと考えている。経済発展によって菌株の分布が変動し、さらに変動した菌株が疾患と関連するという発見は、腸内微生物とヒトの健康が密接に関連していることを示唆しており、公衆衛生政策の改善やヒトの健康増進を目指すための基礎データを提供するものである。