Leader: Serena Sanna (CNR); Other collaborator(s): Fabio Busonero, Francesca Crobu, Andrea Maschio. Maria Laura Ferrando, Simona Incollu, Fabio Chilotti.
We will characterize the intestinal microbiome composition using metagenomic sequencing approach, and inflammatory biomarkers profiles in fecal and plasma samples, respectively, of up to 100 women from an ongoing longitudinal study cohort of healthy women created in collaboration with Prof. Giorgia Girotto (IRCCS Burlo Garofolo). We will identify gut microbiome components that correlate with changes in inflammatory biomarkers levels, along with sex hormones variation using existing and novel implementations of statistical methods to deal with longitudinal microbiome data.
We will evaluate the association with inflammatory diseases status in women in existing disease cohorts available through our collaborators.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results: Two contests to hire research fellows were completed during the quarter (one professional and one postdoc). A scientific article was also reviewed and then accepted (Busonero et al, EHJ Open 2024). We have started to acquire the first scientific instrumentation for the study
During this period, biological samples for proteomic and metagenomic analyses were prepared, and pipelines for bioinformatic processing were developed. The purchase of scientific instruments was completed, and procedures for services were started.
Dissemination: dissemination of European funding on social channels
In the period July-September 2024, 260 plasma samples were sent for proteomics measurement (panel of 360 inflammatory proteins), and the pipelines for bioinformatic processing were set up. We analyzed a first subset of 10 microbial DNA samples (metagenomic sequencing). We also started writing a comprehensive review on female aging from the -omics knowledge point of view, which we plan to submit in November.
Dissemination: dissemination of European funding on social channels, participation in the International Human Microbiome Congress in Rome (24 June 2024).
In the period October-December 2024, we finalized our manuscript review entitled "Aging in Women – the Microbiome Perspective " and submitted to Aging Research Review. The manuscript is currently under editorial consideration. We have perfomed QC of protein data, and identified host factors and technical variables that influence variability. We then carriet out statistical analyses and used several to identify proteins that change during menstrual cycle, proteins that associate to sex-hormones changes, and proteins that correlate with blood biochemistry traits. We are also continuing enrollment of the cohort with the acquisition and processing of new biological samples. Finally, we continue our dissemination activities on the social media page of the project Women4Health.
In the period January-march 2025, we received the first batch of metagenomic data and we are currently performing QC and profiling, we will later perform association with proteins. 2) we are continuining the recruitment of volunteers and dissemination activities. We also finalized a publication co-funded by Age-it, which is now available as pre-print and under review in NPJ Biofilms and Microbes. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.12.642767 Our review paper on Aging in Women is still under revision
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