The Pig Microbiome Podcast

The Pig Microbiome Podcast

By The Pig Microbiome PodcastScience
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The Pig Microbiome Podcast episodes

  • #06 - Tonsil microbiome, Identifying biomarkers, and Microbiota analytics process - Dr. Vahab Farzan and Dr. Lamya Rhayat

    Dr. Vahab Farzan, DVM, MSc, PhD, is at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guleph. Farzan's research interests include epidemiology of food-borne pathogens and infectious diseases in swine.


    Dr. Lamya Rhayat is currently Team Manager & Senior Scientist Animal Microbiota at Phileo by Lesaffre. She has a MS and PhD in Microbiology at University Pierre et Marie Curie (France).

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    1 hr 15 min
  • #05 - Immune System Training, Feed Additives, and Genomics - Dr. Crystal Loving

    Dr. Loving's degrees: B.S. Iowa State University, Zoology (2001), Ph.D. Iowa State University, Immunobiology (2006), Postdoc - Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD (2006-2008).


    Research interests:

    My research objectives include identifying critical interactions between commensal intestinal microbiota and the developing immune system that contribute to a balanced and healthy pig. This understanding will lead to the development of intervention strategies to limit in-feed antibiotic use and colonization with foodborne pathogens. My laboratory is interested in better understanding the immune cells and molecules that interact with the microbiota throughout the intestinal tract, with a particular focus on the ileum and cecum. These locations harbor very distinct immune cell populations and organisms, and are unique niches for identifying mechanisms in which these two co-evolved systems interact to maintain a balanced and healthy intestinal ecosystem. We are also interested in immunometabolism as a biomarker of animal health and have been exploring change in lymphocyte metabolism under different feed and health conditions. We use various immunological assays and tools to assess the phenotype of immune cell populations and function (cytokine expression, proliferation, metabolism), as well as different husbandry conditions (dietary components, immunomodulators, lactogenic immunity) to monitor intestinal physiological and immunological responses.

    My research has also focused on evaluating the immune response associated with protective immunity against influenza virus in pigs, with an emphasis on identifying correlates of protection associated with live-attenuated influenza virus vaccination. In addition, I've worked on evaluating immune responses following administration of various alternatives to antibiotics to limit disease in swine, including different vaccine platforms and various immunomodulators.

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    56 min
  • #04 - Resilience, Maternal transfer, Housing, and Microbiota - Dr. Andres Gomez

    Education:


    Ph.D., Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, 2014
    MSc., Biotechnology, National University of Colombia, 2011
    BSc., Animal Sciences, National University of Colombia, 2003

    Research Interests:

    Our lab studies the factors that shape the composition and function of the microbiome associated to animals and humans. To that end, we apply a system-level view of microbes and host, using meta-OMIC techniques (metagenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics), along with bioinformatic, machine learning and statistical tools. This approach is used to understand how the microbiome interacts with the host, influencing host nutrition, health and evolution.

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    1 hr 1 min
  • #03 - Gnotobiology, Dietary effects in gut development, and The gut-lung axis - Dr. Thomas Burkey and Dr. Martin Nyachoti

    Dr. Thomas Burkey: I am a nonruminant nutritionist with training in animal nutrition, digestive physiology and mucosal immunity. I am interested in applying applied and basic techniques to investigate the complex interactions between nutrients, gut microbes, and immunity and how these interactions affect complex physiological traits important in human health and in agricultural species. Broadly speaking, my research has been focused in the area of ‘gut health’; deciphering the interactions between nutrients, gut microbes, and immunity in swine. Currently (and since my last promotion), the major goals of my research program have been to:


    · Increase the knowledge base with respect to gut health in pigs using applied and basic techniques;
    · Continue to develop and refine a novel gnotobiotic human and porcine microbiota-associated pig model;
    · Determine how the effects of host-microbial interactions converge to shape gut health and nutrient metabolism in weanling pigs fed prebiotics;
    · Characterize the metabolic impact immune system activation and disease has on a growing pig’s metabolism and growth.

    Dr. Nyachoti: Research Interests:

    · Digestive physiology of pigs
    · Feed ingredient evaluation for monogastrics.
    · Nutrition and gut health interactions.
    · Nutrition and the environment.

    Current Research Project:

    · Dietary manipulation and gut health and function in the piglet.
    · Improving dietary energy and nutrient utilization in non-ruminants using exogenous enzyme supplementation. Evaluation and development of alternatives to in-feed antibiotics.
    · Dietary phosphorus management and environmental sustainability.
    · Amino acid nutrition in poultry and swine.
    · Feed ingredient evaluation (wheat-based DDGS, Canola meal, etc.).

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    46 min
  • #02 - Sex differences, Weaning age, and The gut-brain axis - Dr. Adam Moeser

    Dr. Adam Moeser is an associate professor and the Matilda R. Wilson Endowed Research Chair for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and director of the Gastrointestinal Stress Biology Laboratory at Michigan State University. Centered at the intersection of human and animal health, the focus of Moeser’s research program is understanding how early-life adversity (e.g. adverse childhood events (ACE’s), psychosocial trauma, etc.) influences the development of brain-gut axis communication and increased disease risk across the lifespan.


    Moeser’s research program has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and industry. In the past 10 years, Moeser has received several national awards for his research, published more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 90 scientific meeting abstracts and proceedings, and has given 60 invited research presentations at national and international venues.

    Moeser has a passion for training the next generation of clinician and basic scientists, and his trainees have received numerous accolades including prestigious NIH F30 and K01 awards, and have obtained competitive positions as post-docs, tenure-track faculty, industry scientists and directors, and clinicians. He is a two-time recipient of the Bayer Animal Health Faculty Recognition Award for outstanding teaching.

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    1 hr 7 min
  • #01 - Immune System, Microbiome diversity and Resilience - Dr. Andrew Van Kessel

    Dr. Andrew Van Kessel grew up on a dairy farm in Nova Scotia and retains a strong interest in the livestock agriculture. He received his PhD from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at VIDO-InterVac, and returned to the College of Agriculture and Bioresources rising to the rank of Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science. He has served in a number of leadership roles including Acting Associate Dean, Research for the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and Head of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science.


    Andrew is a member of the board of directors of Prairie Swine Centre Inc. and member of the board and chair of the Science Advisory Board for Swine Innovation Porc, an organization funded by the swine industry to lead Canada’s national research strategy. He has established gnotobiotic models in swine and poultry to investigate the host/microbial interface and the role of the gut microbiota in contributing to gastrointestinal health, including the discovery and evaluation of antibiotic alternatives.

    *This podcast is operated by Swine Impact, a Swine it Company.

    53 min

About The Pig Microbiome Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Did you know that the pig’s microbiota has more than 400 species of fungi and bacteria yielding approximately 10 times more cells than those in the pig’s body? These microbes are at the nexus of health and productivity as they communicate with each other and with the pig’s organs and systems.