Phage–bacteria interactions shaping the infant gut microbiome
Main PI:Chinmay Dwibedi, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University
Co-PI:Christina West, Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University
Abstract
This research explores bacteriophage–bacteria dynamics in the early-life gut microbiome using metagenomic approaches. The project aims to uncover how epigenetic modifications and phage interactions influence microbial colonization, adaptation, and stability during early development.
Objectives
1. hybrid genome assembly and methylation detection using short and long read metagenomic sequencing.
2. identification of phage–host interactions using co-occurrence analyses; and
3. longitudinal analysis in the NorthPop Birth Cohort to trace the co-evolution of phages and microbes over time.
This study will provide novel insights into how early microbiomes are shaped by epigenetic and ecological pressures, uncovering mechanisms of microbial adaptation that may influence health trajectories.
About the PIs and their synergies
Chinmay Dwibedi is an expert in human gut microbiota studies and Prof. Christina West is a clinician-scientist in pediatric immunology and nutrition. This collaboration enables a unique systems-level investigation of how bacteriophages influence microbial colonization and function in infancy, and how microbial epigenetic patterns mediate adaptation. The interdisciplinary nature of this partnership positions the team to uncover new microbial mechanisms of immune modulation and disease risk in early life. The research will take place in a highly multidisciplinary setting within the department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University, MIMS (Nordic-EMBL partnership node for Molecular Medicine in Sweden), UCMR (Umeå Center for Microbial Research), Northpop birth cohort and associated research and DDLS (Data driven Life Sciences through Scilifelab) network.
