Inside Matters

Following is a conversation with Dr Indrani Mukhopadhyay, a lecturer at the Institute of Medical Sciences Microbiology and Immunology Group at the University of Aberdeen.
Over the last ten years, we’ve started to understand more and more about why the virome is important in both health and disease. Indrani is an expert in the viral and has been involved in some of the seminal research to characterise profiles and help us understand why the virus is important. So if you're interested in that, this is a great episode for you.
We also spoke about probiotics and what a next-generation probiotic might be in terms of its composition, structure and function. We spoke about Indrani's career progression. She's been all over the world involved in exciting research and setting up her new lab recently here in Aberdeen. So we covered a range of topics. 
Finally, we spoke about inflammatory bowel disease, how the viral elements of the microbiome might be important and how specific depletions of bacteria might be important too. 
As always, I wanted to thank you, the listener, for tuning in and for supporting the podcast. It's fantastic to get the feedback we've been getting about people enjoying it and if you are enjoying it and haven't yet liked and subscribed, please do that.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:52 - How did you get into the field of the microbiome?
00:06:32 - Research into developing vaccines
00:12:58 - Effectiveness of vaccines
00:14:24 - Complexity of the rotavirus
00:16:28 - Seasonal flu
00:20:01 - Viruses in our gut
00:24:17 - Viral metagenomics
00:33:06 - Knowledge of viruses greater than of bacteria
00:35:53 - What’s the most important part of the microbiome?
00:37:06 - Bacteriophages
00:40:15 - Enteric viruses
00:41:29 - Fungus in the gut
00:42:39 - Viruses keep bacteria in check
00:43:07 - Most exciting development in microbiome research
00:46:10 - Women in science
00:47:00 - Immunomodulator’s effects on gut viruses.
00:49:23 - Next-generation probiotics
00:52:20 - Taking probiotic supplements
00:54:28 - Manufacturing bacteria to treat patients
00:55:39 - Benefits of single strain vs consortia
00:56:34 - Universally beneficial probiotic?
01:00:25 - Thanks and conclusion

In episode 21 we chat with Professor Karen Scott of the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen.
Watch the podcast on YouTube.
Professor Scott is one of the world's leading researchers for gut health, gut microbiome and all things microbial. 
We had a fascinating and at times humourous chat about all things microbiome and bacterium. We cover questions such as;
Does Professor Scott take probiotics? What are some of the limitations of current microbiome research? What is a healthy microbiome and how can you make yours healthier through diet, nutrition and potentially supplements? We also cover the role of fibre in our diet and whether we really need to be eating 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day to get our fibre intake, or whether we can find good sources of fibre in other foods. And we chat about where Professor Scott sees the research into the gut microbiome heading in the next 5 years.
You can listen to this episode as a professor with a keen interest in the subject matter of the gut microbiome and still learn things. Likewise, this could be your first ever Inside Masters podcast and you'll learn a lot.
00:00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:47:09 - Getting into the field of the microbiome
00:06:38:08 - Detriments to bacteria transfer
00:11:17:05 - The problem of antimicrobial resistance
00:18:23:01 - Restoring the microbiome post-antibiotics
00:20:53:10 - Illegal to refer to “probiotics”?
00:21:51:23 - Is it a viral or bacterial infection?
00:25:21:07 - Discussion on vancomycin
00:30:29:02 - Does the microbiome change from when people are born and as they get older?
00:32:17:23 - Understanding how bacteria “use us”
00:34:58:13 - Why fibre is so important to the gut
00:40:30:01 - The risks of too much protein
00:41:48:08 - Are some fibres better than others?
00:48:40:04 - Does our gut make us “crave” certain foods?
00:50:17:14 - What is a “healthy” gut microbiome?
00:53:02:17 - Bacteria and inflammation
01:01:59:08 - Advancements in culturing bacteria
01:06:42:13 - Taking probiotics
01:08:42:09 - Thoughts on FMT
01:12:31:07 - The importance of feeding our gut bacteria
01:15:33:08 - Where is the field heading? And conclusion

In episode 20 we chat with Kristina Campbell, microbiome science communicator, educator and author.
In this episode, I had a fascinating chat with Kristina Campbell, a science writer who specialises in tiny things. In other words, all the microorganisms that live on and inside of our bodies. It was our first remote podcast with a guest, and I'm really grateful for Kristina joining me and helping me produce such amazing content for all of our listeners.
We talked about what makes a good probiotic “good” and what makes a bad one “bad”. If you're somebody who consumes probiotics or is thinking about taking probiotics, you should tune into this episode because we really dig into where the field is and what are some of the key quality criteria that you should be looking for if you want to embark on a probiotics journey.
We also talked about where we see the field going in the next five years and even further on from that talked about some of the recent drug approvals as well, which we're all really excited about, plus some tips for parents who want their children to health a gut-healthy diet. This was the first remote recording that we did and it went really well.
As always, I would encourage you, if you're enjoying this podcast, to like and subscribe, the best thing you can possibly do to support Inside Matters is to hover your finger over the five-star reviews and kindly give us five stars. This helps bump us up the algorithm, helping the podcast reach more people who will ultimately benefit from the no-cost scientific information that we're delivering to you, the listener.
Timestamps:
00:00:00:00 - Intro
 
00:02:01:20 - Kristina introduces herself and outlines her background
 
00:05:13:09 - Kristina shares some of her own health journey
 
00:07:18:06 - Why the interest in probiotics?
 
00:11:32:01 - What to look for when considering a probiotic
 
00:14:33:24 - Probiotics vs life beneficial microbes
 
00:23:09:21 - Role of microorganisms and our digestion
 
00:32:24:02 - Microorganisms and new drug developments
 
00:35:13:01 - Fecal transplantation derivatives
 
00:37:24:09 - Developing bugs as drugs
 
00:40:10:22 - Should everyone take a probiotic?
 
00:43:00:18 - Kristina’s books
 
00:47:50:08 - What about prebiotics?
 
00:51:58:01 - Can a dead microorganism confer a health benefit
 
00:53:06:15 - The future of microorganism therapeutics
 
00:58:15:23 - Pioneers of the microbiome space
 
01:01:30:15 - Distilling the best information
 
01:08:31:21 - What’s next for Kristina?
 
01:11:30:15 - Tips for parents

In episode 19 we chat with Dr Megan Eldred, Senior Policy Advisor and Dementia Mission Lead at the Office for Life Sciences.
Megan walked us through her journey from PhD and potential academia, to transition into the UK Civil Service and the work she does with the Office for Life Sciences. She told us about her journey to becoming the senior policy adviser and dementia mission lead on everything that entails.
More generally, the Mission aims to develop novel precision medicine tools that help boost the number and speed of clinical trials in dementia neurodegeneration. This is a much-needed and highly impactful endeavour. We all know somebody who is suffering from or who has suffered from dementia. It is devastating and still has massive unmet clinical needs and is a huge cost and burden to society that is a burden that is getting bigger because of an ageing population.
Megan talked about some interesting scientific and commercial developments in this field, including the approval of two drugs to slow the progression of dementia. We spoke about cures for Alzheimer's disease and how close and how far away we are. We also spoke about psychedelics, exercise, the mind-body connection and burnout.
As always, I would encourage you, if you're enjoying this podcast, to like and subscribe, the best thing you can possibly do to support Inside Matters is to hover your finger over the five star reviews and to kindly give us five stars. This helps bump us up the algorithm, helping the podcast reach more people that will ultimately benefit from the no-cost scientific information that we're delivering to you, the listener.
Timestamps:
00:00:00:00 -Intro
 
00:01:51:04 - Dr McIlroy’s neurodegenerative family history
 
00:04:01:20 - Dutch care home designed for dementia
 
00:04:43:02 - Japanese robotic seal
 
00:06:35:06 - Pet dogs and our microbiome
 
00:07:41:10 - Link between microbiome and depression
 
00:09:17:07 - Mice research
 
00:11:44:02 - Can the microbiome cure depression longterm?
 
00:13:30:01 - How habits are formed
 
00:15:22:27 - Addictions and their cure
 
00:19:15:28 - Fight or flight responses
 
00:25:41:01 - Building resilience
 
00:27:57:24 - Choosing a career path
 
00:30:36:20 - Undertaking a physiology degree
 
00:33:03:02 - Unknown unknowns
 
00:35:50:08 - The cell fate in the retina
 
00:37:55:24 - Intelligent design?
 
00:41:55:10 - Micro-dosing
 
00:49:33:11 - Understanding the retina
 
00:55:10:29 - Starting a career in the civil service
 
00:59:13:24 - Scientists working for the government
 
01:04:59:23 - Centre for Science and Policy
 
01:08:59:15 - Role as lead at Office for Life Sciences
 
01:14:46:09 - Focus on biomarkers
 
01:17:52:04 - Drugs approval for treating dimensia
 
01:20:10:10 - Understanding the disease pathway
 
01:24:51:08 - Funding research
 
01:26:44:21 - Our Future Health
 
01:34:28:01 - Sharing IP with competitors
 
01:39:45:24 - CSF testing
 
01:41:51:12 - Inflammation and the disease pathway
 
01:43:13:15 - Vaccine for cognitive disease?
 
01:46:19:27 - Conclusion
 
 

Dr Laura Craven is Lead Research & Development Scientist at EnteroBiotix and has a  PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, specialising in gut microbiome modulation.
Dr Craven’s studies include research into the gut's role in auto-immune diseases like MS.
In this episode, Dr Craven joins James to discuss her journey from completing her PhD in Canada and the impact the NEMJ’s paper on Duodenal Infusion of Donor Feces for Recurrent Clostridium difficile” had on her science career, along with her own personal health diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.
They chat about the difference between FMT and IMT, leaky gut syndrome and the factors, including stress, which play a part in us developing this challenging condition. And they broach the topics of probiotics, improving gut permeability, and whether having a morning coffee is actually a good idea.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 intro
00:00:29 getting into the field of the microbiome?
00:01:45 impact of the NEMJ  paper
00:03:10 what was Dr Craven’s PhD on?
00:05:33 what’s the difference between “FMT” & “IMT”?
00:08:51 treating NAFLD with FMT
00:14:23 Enterobiotix and staff dietary provisions
00:16:18 Dr Craven discusses leaky gut syndrome
00:18:06 Wim Hof being injected with bacterial endotoxins
00:20:35 more discussion on leaky gut
00:21:22 getting a strong gut rather than a leaky one
00:22:26 How do doctors diagnose leaky gut?
00:24:06 how does FMT/IMT have an impact on leaky gut?
00:26:22 Dr Craven's study findings in relation to treating NAFLD
00:27:32 discussion around endogenous alcohol production
00:31:12 how has the public’s perception of FMT/IMT changed
00:34:14 gut permeability can be improved via FMT
00:37:41 treating MS with FMT/IMT
00:38:51 what factors cause leaky guy and what's the role of stress?
00:41:48 the connection between leaky guy and autoimmune diseases
00:44:10 what is a probiotic?
00:47:15 Dr Craven's move from Canada to Scotland
00:54:45 living with Type 1 diabetes
00:57:58 how do I improve my gut health?
01:10:32 hopes for diabetes and the role of FMT/IMT
01:20:04 is having a morning coffee a good idea?
01:21:18 where is the microbiome field heading in the future?
01:25:57 interaction between the microbiome and the host
01:26:54 what is engraftment?
01:32:13 what's FMT/IMT going to be used for next?
01:35:08 dietary challenges upon moving to Scotland
01:37:38 other scientific interests outside of the microbiome
01:39:14 the potential role of AI for health management

Professor Harry Flint is a world leader in gut microbiome science and Professor Emeritus at the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen. He's known for his book, "Why Gut Microbes Matter" and has two species of gut bacteria named after him: 'HarryFlintia' and 'Flintibacter'.
As part of a research collaboration, Professor Flint helped to identify a combination of six naturally occurring bacteria that work to eradicate a highly contagious form of Clostridium difficile (C. diff). The results of this research illustrated the effectiveness of utilising a mix of bacteria naturally found in the gut to displace C. diff and supershedder microbiota. The research helped develop a standardised mixture treatment for FMT.
Professor Flint began studying ecology at university before switching to genetics, completing his PhD in this field. He then worked as a lecturer for 6 years and then came back to Edinburgh to start a training fellowship to learn molecular biology in 1982. His career began at the Rowett Institute in 1985, with a focus on the rumen of animals due to the complexity of the microbiology of that system of digestion.
He joins James in this episode of Inside Matters, the Gut Health Podcast, to chat about his career as he nears retirement, and the ground-breaking research into the complex universe of the gut microbiome. They cover a variety of topics including the importance of the digestive system of rumens, symbiosis in living organisms and dive into the different levels founds in the gut's microbiome.
 
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Intro00:00:26 How did you get into the field of the microbiome00:04:07 What was known of the rumen in the 80s00:08:20 The discovery of key gut bacteria00:10:07 What's the story with termites?00:12:23 Does every living thing have symbiosis?00:14:31 How diverse is the rumen?00:17:00 Transition into human gut research00:19:29 In the 90s what was known of the gut biome?00:22:07 The different levels of the gut microbiome00:26:19 The importance of starch for the microbiome00:30:08 What is a keystone species and how many?00:35:11 What is an enterotype?00:37:56 What is prevotella?00:41:12 Should everyone have a fibre supplement?00:44:58 Does going plant-based improve overall health?00:47:29 Why are the microbes in our gut in the first place?00:51:08 The uniqueness of each human's microbiome00:56:27 10 functional groups found in human stool?00:59:11 Are there disease states with all functional groups?01:02:45 Breast-fed babies with less biome diversity?01:07:39 Important metabolites from the biome01:11:16 What determines ph balance in the biome?01:13:29 What still needs to be characterised in the biome?01:18:51 Do gut bacteria have a form of consciousness?01:24:23 Will AI help gut biome research advance?01:28:03 What about fungi in the gut?01:29:38 What should a healthy microbiome look like?
 

Learn more about Inside Matters - https://insidematters.health/
Professor Simon Carding is Group Leader at the Quadram Institute and is a Professor of Mucosal Immunology at the University of East Anglia.
Professor Carding's research covers a broad area of gut biology including epithelial cell physiology, mucus and glycobiology, mucosal immunology, commensal microbiology, foodborne bacterial pathogens, and mathematical modelling and bioinformatics. The success of this programme has led to the establishment of the Gut Microbes and Health research programme that is integral to the research agenda of The Quadram Institute.
In this episode, Dr McIlory chats with Professor Carding about his journey into the field of the gut microbiome and they discuss some of the ground-breaking ways his research is revealing the connection between gut health and debilitating conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's and ME. They also cover the topics of how to ensure good gut health while debunking some popular myths on the topic.

Learn more about Inside Matters - https://insidematters.health/
In this week’s episode, James has a lively discussion with Dominic Falcão about science, new technologies, starting and securing funding for tech companies and their personal philosophies and outlooks when it comes to development.
Dominic is a co-founder of Deep Science Ventures (DSV), a company that focuses on four key outcomes: restorative cultivation, scaling intelligence, reversing global heating and curative therapeutics.
He previously led Imperial College London’s science startup programme: worked with over 200 student companies, and supported a fraction of these to raise over £25m in funding within 3 years.
Dom admits to being obsessed with building new companies to solve the climate crisis, from carbon-neutral fuels and negative emissions technologies to market-side interventions to funnel more finance profitably into climate solutions. Via DSV, they are championing the diversity of background and vocation of focus in STEM education, starting with a global, diversity-led venture-focused science PhD programme.

Learn more about this episode's guest and the topics discussed - https://insidematters.health/
 
Dr Mapstone is co-founder and CEO at BoobyBiome, a biotechnology company developing live biotherapeutic products to improve and protect infant health. BoobyBiome are seeking to achieve this by rationally designing microbial therapeutics from the beast milk microbiome. Dr Mapstone holds a PhD in Synthetic Biology from UCL.

Learn more about the podcast - https://insidematters.health/
 
Sean Lazzerini is a professional boxer and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist. He started boxing at the age of 12 and quickly started to win fights. He took a short break for a couple of years during his mid-teens while at school but restarted at age 17 and progressed from there. He became a professional boxer towards the end of 2022 in the light heavyweight category following on from his success at the Commonwealth Games.Sean trains six days a week. He has built a great team around him that includes Ricky Burns, three-time world champion. On four out of the six days, he trains twice a day, and on two of the six days, he trains three times a day. His training is predominantly boxing-specific but also includes running and weight training. Sean also undertakes hot and cold therapy using a sauna and a plunge pool most days of the week. He sees this is a fundamental aspect of his recovery programme.Sean has had setbacks including injuries and losses. One example that was discussed was a hand injury that prevented Sean from going to the Olympics. Being able to overcome adversity successfully is a key trait of a champion.Over the course of the podcast, Sean and James dug deep into the world of being a professional athlete and boxing. Topics included: the mindset of a champion, what happens before and after a fight, making weight, drugs and alcohol, sports in Scotland and creating a good diet.To learn more about Sean and/or to follow his journey see https://www.instagram.com/lazzaboy_beastmode/