International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP)

This episode features computational microbiologist Dr. Tarini Ghosh PhD from  Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (Delhi, India) speaking about his recently published paper that proposes a novel Health-Associated Core Keystone (HACK) index for measuring a healthy microbiome. To create the index, the group used a huge volume of sequence data – over 201 terabytes – […] The post The HACK index for measuring a health-associated gut microbiome, with Dr. Tarini Ghosh PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Céline Druart PhD of Pharmabiotic Research Institute (PRI) speaking about the role of regulatory science in the development of microbiome biomarkers. First, PRI's Communication and Membership Manager Camille Bello briefly describes the work of the PRI in supporting the development of therapeutic and diagnostic products derived from microbiome science. Regulation is […] The post Regulatory science and the development of microbiome biomarkers, with Dr. Céline Druart PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Raphaela Joos from University College Cork in Ireland, speaking about efforts by the Human Microbiome Action Consortium to create an expert-led consensus around the concept of a healthy human microbiome. Ms. Joos, a PhD student who was first author of the resulting paper, notes that a healthy human microbiome can be defined […] The post Identifying features of a healthy microbiome, with Raphaela Joos appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Gianluca Ianiro MD PhD, a gastroenterologist from the Fondazione A. Gemelli IRCCS and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome (Italy), speaking about how to advance gut microbiome testing for use in medicine. His interest in the gut microbiome began with the clinical observation that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was remarkably […] The post Advancing gut microbiome testing for use in clinical practice, with Dr. Gianluca Ianiro MD PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

In this episode, the ISAPP hosts discuss human milk and the infant gut with Dr. Simone Renwick PhD from Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE) at UC San Diego, USA. Dr. Renwick talks about her work investigating how communities of microbes versus individual microbes in the infant gut metabolize human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) structures, […] The post Archive Highlight: Human milk oligosaccharides in the infant gut, with Dr. Simone Renwick PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Anissa Armet PhD RD from the University of Alberta in Canada, speaking about the impact of diet on both the gut microbiota and overall health. Dr. Armet, a registered dietitian and researcher, says the Western diet along with the associated gut microbiome changes have played a role (amongst other things) in […] The post How a non-industrialized diet affects gut microbes and health, with Dr. Anissa Armet PhD RD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Yves Desjardins PhD from Laval University in Canada. Prof. Desjardins, an agrologist by training, explains that polyphenols are metabolites synthesized by plants and present in the plant foods we consume. When humans consume polyphenols, we absorb a small fraction (around 5%) of them in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but most of […] The post Interactions of polyphenols in the gut, with Prof. Yves Desjardins PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Vanessa Leone PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison on how gut microbes and eating patterns impact the host circadian system and overall health. In mouse models, Dr. Leone has found that in a 24-hour period, minor changes occur in the composition of the gut microbiota, while more important changes […] The post The interplay between gut microbiota, diet, and circadian rhythms, with Dr. Vanessa Leone PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. William Chen from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, speaking with the ISAPP hosts about precision fermentation. In Singapore, enhancing national food security is of interest and one of the technologies used to achieve this is precision fermentation. Prof. Chen describes the differences between traditional fermentation, biomass fermentation, and precision fermentation. In […] The post An overview of precision fermentation, with Prof. William Chen PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Abigail (Abbey) Thiel PhD, who works remotely (from the US) with Wageningen University to manage a project focused on developing animal-free milk proteins using precision fermentation. Dr. Thiel explains that the motivation for the project is to find alternatives to animal-produced foods using microorganisms to produce key components of dairy products. […] The post Precision fermentation for animal-free milk, with Dr. Abigail Thiel PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Continuing in the series on the latest fermented food science, we are highlighting Episode 9 from our archives. In this episode, the ISAPP hosts talk about fermented foods and non-human primates with Katie Amato of Northwestern University, USA. Amato describes what she has learned from studying the gut microbiota of non-human primates and how it […] The post Archive Highlight: An evolutionary perspective on fermented foods, with Assoc. Prof. Katie Amato appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Paul Cotter PhD of TEAGASC in Ireland, talking about the creation of fermented foods and how they can lead to health benefits. A huge array of foods can be fermented, and historically fermentation was used to extend the shelf life of a food that people had an abundance of. Dr. Cotter's […] The post Fermented foods and their health benefits, with Dr. Paul Cotter PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

In this episode, Prof. Christophe Courtin PhD from KU Leuven in Belgium discusses the potential of fermented foods to provide health benefits and create more sustainable food systems. His work focuses in particular on fermenting cereal grains as a way to create products with better properties or enhanced health impact. Fermentation is a form of […] The post How fermented foods can support health and sustainability, with Prof. Christophe Courtin PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Continuing in the series on the latest fermented food science, we are highlighting Episode 3 from our archives. The hosts continue their discussion of fermented foods with Prof. Bob Hutkins, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Prof. Hutkins elaborates on how the microbes associated with fermented foods may confer health benefits, as well as how food […] The post Archive Highlight: The science of fermented foods, part 2, with Prof. Bob Hutkins appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Welcome to the first episode of our new series on the latest fermented food science. We are highlighting Episode 1 from our archives with guest Prof. Bob Hutkins, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Prof. Hutkins wrote a popular textbook on fermented foods and has had a 40-year career in fermentation science. He shares why he […] The post Archive Highlight: The science of fermented foods, part 1, with Prof. Bob Hutkins appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

In this episode, ISAPP's current President Prof. Maria Marco PhD and past President Prof. Dan Merenstein join the podcast hosts for a conversation about highlights in biotic science from the past year. Prof. Marco points out a paper published in Nature Microbiology, the result of an ISAPP discussion group exploring whether diet may be a […] The post 2024 highlights in biotic science, with ISAPP's current and past Presidents appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Malú Tansey PhD and colleague Dr. Andrea Merchak PhD from the University of Florida, USA, discussing neuroinflammation and the role of gut microbes in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. “Inflammaging” tends to occur as aging progresses, but the links that have been made between the gut and the brain […] The post Gut microbes and other drivers of inflammation in Parkinson's disease, with Prof. Malú Tansey PhD and Dr. Andrea Merchak PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Kerensa Broersen PhD from University of Twente in the Netherlands, speaking about using an innovative model of the microbiota-gut-brain axis to learn about neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Prof. Broersen says that while clinical studies are applicable to human health and animal models have great physiological complexity, her lab focuses […] The post Using a microbiota-gut-brain axis on a microfluidic chip to gain insights into neurodegenerative diseases, with Prof. Kerensa Broersen PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Alex Parker PhD from Université de Montréal talking about models for studying neurodegenerative diseases. His lab makes use of the worm C. elegans, a common model organism for studying disease and aging as it has many genes in common with humans. Focusing on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Dr. Parker makes models […] The post Developing probiotics for neurodegenerative disease, with Dr. Alex Parker PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Continuing our series on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, we are highlighting Episode 34 from our archives. In this episode, the ISAPP hosts discuss a new study on how the gut virome affects the host during stress, with Nathaniel (Nate) Ritz from the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, USA and Thomaz Bastiaanssen from APC Microbiome Ireland. […] The post Archive Highlight: New evidence on the virome in gut-brain communication and stress, with Nathaniel Ritz and Thomaz Bastiaanssen appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  Continuring our series on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, we are highlighting Episode 26 from our archives. In this episode, ISAPP podcast host Prof. Dan Tancredi PhD welcomes guest Prof. Emeran Mayer MD, a gastroenterologist and researcher at University of California Los Angeles. They talk about the microbiota-gut-brain axis, covering its evolutionary origins and how this complex […] The post Archive Highlight: The role of microbes in gut-brain communication, with Prof. Emeran Mayer MD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Eldin Jašarević PhD from University of Pittsburgh discussing research that investigates how maternal signals influence the general development and neurodevelopment of the offspring. Dr. Jašarević's particular interest in this field stems from his family's journey as refugees from Bosnia who found their way to the US. His lab studies how maternal […] The post How the maternal microbiome influences offspring neurodevelopment, with Dr. Eldin Jašarević PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Dr. Boushra Dalile PhD from KU Leuven in Belgium – ISAPP's 2024 Glenn Gibson Early Career Researcher Award winner – discussing the protective role of fiber and prebiotics on cognitive health. Dr. Dalile is trained in psychology, and in her current work she undertakes human intervention studies to examine the effects of […] The post Fiber and short-chain fatty acids for cognitive health, with Dr. Boushra Dalile PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  Completing our series on the role of biotics in animal health, we are highlighting Episode 22 from our archives. In this episode, Prof. Kelly Swanson PhD from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discusses the role of biotics in animal and human nutrition. He reviews the criteria for prebiotics and synbiotics, then discusses how we […] The post Archive Highlight: Biotics in animal and human nutrition, with Prof. Kelly Swanson PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Naowarat (Ann) Cheeptham, a cave microbiologist from Thompson Rivers University (Canada), speaking about a fungal infection in bats that causes white nose syndrome. She and her collaborators are looking at the microbiomes of the bats and their environments for possible ways to prevent this serious infection. White nose syndrome is caused […] The post Developing probiotics to prevent white nose syndrome in bats, with Prof. Ann Cheeptham PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Alex Hristov PhD from Penn State University (USA) talking about the microbiota of ruminants and how it can be targeted for reduced methane production. The rumen (pre-stomach area) of cows and other animals contains microorganisms that digest the feed before it enters the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrogen is produced […] The post Targeting the rumen microbiota for reduced methane production, with Prof. Alex Hristov PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Continuing our series on the role of biotics in animal health, we are highlighting Episode 5 from our archives. This episode features a former ISAPP board member, Prof. George Fahey, giving an overview of animal prebiotic research and describing future opportunities for prebiotics in animal nutrition. Prof. George Fahey is a prominent animal nutrition scientist […] The post Archive Highlight: Prebiotics for animal health, with Prof. George Fahey appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Prof. Jan Suchodolski DACVM PhD from Texas A&M University, discussing the gut microbiome in dogs and other companion animals. Prof. Suchodolski's lab focuses on understanding gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in pets and developing diagnostic tests for research and clinical practice. His lab works on building a model of what's happening with animal health, […] The post Episode 40: Understanding the gut microbiome in dogs and other pets, with Prof. Jan Suchodolski DACVM PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode is a broad-ranging conversation on biotics for agricultural animals, with Prof. Steve Ricke PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Ricke explains some of the different applications of biotics for poultry as well as swine and ruminants: rapid growth, efficient use of feed, and reducing inflammation. Biotics may also have a role in food […] The post Episode 39: Biotics for agricultural animals, with Prof. Steve Ricke PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

We discuss microbes, mucus, and milk with Dr. Clara Belzer PhD from Wageningen University in the Netherlands in this episode. Dr. Belzer, a molecular geneticist, specializes in studying the microorganisms that are equipped to break down the glycans in mucus and human milk within the host environment. Key topics from this episode: Dr. Belzer's research […] The post Episode 38: Microbes that break down mucus and milk to benefit the host, with Dr. Clara Belzer PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The ISAPP hosts discuss the microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with leading expert Prof. Harry Sokol MD PhD, who is Professor of Gastroenterology at Saint Antoine Hospital and has positions with Sorbonne University and the Micalis Institute, INRAE in Paris, France. Sokol talks about the specific gut bacteria that seem to be important in […] The post Episode 37: Targeting the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease, with Prof. Harry Sokol MD PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode features Jee-Yon Lee MD PhD, assistant project scientist at the University of California Davis, USA, speaking about a recent paper on the mechanisms of sorbitol intolerance and the contributions of the gut microbiota. Dr. Lee explains how gut microbes in the large intestine can drive sorbitol intolerance, and how their research group designed […] The post Episode 36: Uncovering the mechanisms of sorbitol intolerance, with Dr. Jee-Yon Lee MD PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

In this episode, the ISAPP hosts discuss the gut microbiome's role in chronic diseases with Dr. Purna Kashyap MBBS, from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Dr. Kashyap talks about how to discover the complex factors that trigger and perpetuate chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, zeroing in on the gut microbiome as a […] The post Episode 35: Investigating gut microbiome links to chronic diseases, with Dr. Purna Kashyap MBBS appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

In this episode, the ISAPP hosts discuss a new study on how the gut virome affects the host during stress, with Nathaniel (Nate) Ritz from the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, USA and Thomaz Bastiaanssen from APC Microbiome Ireland. The guests give an overview of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, then delve into a new study […] The post Episode 34: New evidence on the virome in gut-brain communication and stress, with Nathaniel Ritz and Thomaz Bastiaanssen appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

This episode, we discuss how to advance from probiotic mechanisms to human applications, with Prof. Graciela Lorca PhD at the University of Florida in Gainesville, USA. Prof. Lorca talks about her experiences seeking out the mechanisms of action of a probiotic – including which molecules from bacteria may have beneficial effects – and bringing a […] The post Episode 33: From probiotic mechanisms to applications, with Prof. Graciela Lorca PhD appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

How microbes and mucus interact in the gut, With Dr. Mindy Engevik PhD Episode summary: In this episode, the ISAPP hosts discuss mucus-microbe interactions in the digestive tract with Dr. Mindy Engevik PhD from the Medical University of South Carolina, USA. They discuss how mucus in the gut is produced and degraded, and different ways […] The post Episode 32: How microbes and mucus interact in the gut appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Microbial species and strains: What's […] The post Episode 31: Microbial species and strains: What's in a name? appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. A systems biology perspective on […] The post Episode 30: A systems biology perspective on the gut microbiome appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Human milk oligosaccharides in the […] The post Episode 29: Human milk oligosaccharides in the infant gut appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Lactobacilli in the microbiomes of […] The post Episode 28: Lactobacilli in the microbiomes of the gut, skin, reproductive tract and more appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Investigating the benefits of […] The post Episode 27: Investigating the benefits of live dietary microbes appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. The role of microbes […] The post Episode 26: The role of microbes in gut-brain communication appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. The effects of metabolites […] The post Episode 25: The effects of metabolites in the colon appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Reflections on the probiotic […] The post Episode 24: Reflections on the probiotic field and ISAPP's role appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Studying microbial ecosystems and […] The post Episode 23: Studying microbial ecosystems and how they support health appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Biotics in animal and […] The post Episode 22: Biotics in animal and human nutrition appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Genetically modified microorganisms for […] The post Episode 21: Genetically modified microorganisms for health appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. How to navigate probiotic […] The post Episode 20: How to navigate probiotic evidence and guidelines for pediatric populations appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Questioning the existence of […] The post Episode 19: Questioning the existence of a fetal microbiome appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. The definition of postbiotics, […] The post Episode 18: The definition of postbiotics appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

  The Science, Microbes & Health Podcast  This podcast covers emerging topics and challenges in the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. This is the podcast of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of these fields. Using metabolomics to learn […] The post Episode 17: Using metabolomics to learn about the activities of gut microbes appeared first on International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).