Download November 10, 2010

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SEMINAR SERIES
Dr. Gregor
g Reid
Lawson Health Research Institute Scientist and Director of the
Canadian Research and Development Centre for Probiotics
“The Vaginal Microbiome and Probiotics:
what we know and what we need to find out”
From microbiology to genetics and bioinformatics,
bioinformatics from cell biology and immunology to metabolomics
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
at 12:30 p.m. in ANNU 156
The Human Microbiome Project has brought attention to the importance of indigenous microbes in
human life and survival. Prior to the current distribution of continents, these single cell organisms
dominated the planet. Having been part of the evolution of humans, it is no surprise that microbes now
dominate the human body, playing a role in all facets of life. No more important a role is the one played
by lactobacilli in the health of the female reproductive tract. Involved in the successful delivery of
newborns, lactobacilli protect the host from a number of diseases. DNA sequencing has now shown that
over 200 different microbial species
p
can be found in the vagina,
g , with lactobacilli abundant in a healthyy
state. Illumina sequencing has identified two profiles aligned with a healthy state and four with bacterial
vaginosis (BV), a common aberrant condition that increases the risk of sexually transmitted infection and
preterm labour. The fastidious Lactobacillus iners, with the smallest genome of all lactobacilli, has barely
the capacity to survive, yet it is recalcitrant to being displaced by pathogens or antibiotics. It is not clear
if L. iners actively protect the host from infection, or simply provide a means for a healthy state to return
post-therapy. In order to try and replenish the vaginal microbiota, two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus
rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, have been developed for oral and intravaginal
administration. The mechanisms involved in their efficacy include production of biosurfactants, antiinfective factors, the ability to modulate host immunity, as well as apparently improving epithelial tight
junction barriers. With no new diagnostic or effective treatments for urogenital infections in 40 years, it
is time to translate microbiome data into practice, and integrate probiotics into the management of
feminine health.
Host: Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe
Coffee, Tea & Timbits available
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND!
“A great opportunity to hear leading researchers in the scientific community discuss their work”