Metagenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract - www.metahit.eu

EFCCA provided early IBD patient perspective support to this successful EC research project grant application where multi-year funding by the European Commission has enabled this innovative human metagenome project to go ahead. We are pleased to report that the later phase of the project programme will include studying the correlation between microbiota and inflammatory bowel disease.

One of the strategic objectives of the project is to place Europe in a leading position within the international community towards the characterisation of the human microbial metagenome (i.e. the combined genomes of all dominant microbes associated with the human body). Although the 4 year project is being managed from the French Agricultural Research Institute - INRA at Jouy-en -Josas, France, a wide-range of partners from both within Europe and other parts of the world will be involved in the extended programme.

MetaHIT is focusing on the intestines because of both the high density and variability of its microbial content and the major role played by the gut in the preservation of health and well being, but conversely as a trigger for a wide range of chronic diseases. Complex study/work programmes will include: association/sequencing, diagnostic metagenomic methodologies, database specification, new data mining software and the correlation between microbiota and human health status.

EFCCA welcomes this research, which will investigate the role of the metagenomes (those inside a range of gut bacteria including IBD). There is a need to have a better understanding of the relationship between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (IBD) and the gut flora.

The pilot IBD study will be undertaken at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain later in the programme. While IBD often leads to severe weight loss, the project will also include a weight gain study associated with the increasing problems of obesity. The Obesity work will be undertaken in Denmark.

EFCCA is pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in this project, which will provide researchers with many challenges. We are grateful to INRA for allowing us to use the project logo and some pictures (© INRA/Bertrand Nicolas) to support this announcement.