Microbiomes and One Health

Recommended Prerequisites

English knowledge.

Teaching Methods

This course uses a variety of teaching methods. The content of the program will be introduced in lecture sessions, complemented by theoretical-practical classes. Case studies will be presented and discussed to explore more detailed aspects of each thematic block. It is also intended that students will develop essential technical skills for the analysis of DNA sequencing data and the interpretation of results. For assessment, students will present a seminar on one of the topics which will help to reinforce critical and autonomous skills.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to explore the link between microbiomes and global sustainability through the One Health principle and to encourage discussion of current and future challenges. Through this perspective, students are expected to understand how microbiomes in different ecosystems (human, animal, plant and environmental) influence health and well-being. Emphasis will be placed on how nutrition, agricultural practices, pollution and climate change affect microbial biodiversity and function, which in turn affects the health of environmental systems and consequently human health. Through the analysis of case studies, students are expected to develop skills in identifying challenges, solving problems and proposing microbiome-based solutions that promote sustainability and health, focusing on issues such as metabolism, antimicrobial resistance, biodiversity loss and food security, always within an interdisciplinary approach.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Microbiome and holobiome concepts
Methods of microbiome investigation and data analysis
Microbiome and One Health:a converging path
Microbiome-human health nexus: the gut microbiome in metabolic regulation – obesity, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune disorders; gut-brain axis and mental health
The rumen microbiome: host-microbiome interaction, animal welfare and methane production mitigation
Antibiotics and microbiome: antimicrobial resistance in the food chain; the plastisphere and the spread of antibiotic resistance and pathogens
Environmental sustainability – soil, water, and other natural environment microbiomes and essential ecological processes (e.g., nutrient cycling); agroecosystem and global health
The importance of plant microbiomes for soil health and vice versa
Microbiome modelling as a tool to prevent biodiversity loss
Impact of edible microbiomes on the exposome and human health
Challenges and innovations in the study and manipulation of microbiomes
Emerging therapies.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Artigos científicos recentes sobre os temas /Recent scientific papers relating the themes to be addressed.
Zhou Y et al (2024) iMetaOmics e30
O’Toole PW, Paoli M (2023) Nat Rev Microbiol 21, 624–625

Ma LC et al (2023) Sci One Health. 25;2:100037
Fan Y, Pedersen O (2021) Nat Rev Microbiol 19, 55–71
Morais LH et al (2021) Nat Rev Microbiol 19, 241–255
Peixoto RS et al. (2022) Nat Microbiol 7, 1726–1735
Kim J, Ahn J (2022) Food Sci Biotechnol 31, 1481–1499
Verraes C et al (2013) Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 10, 2643-2669
Silva I et al (2023) Environ Pollut. 1;332:121995
Silva I et al (2024) Sci Total Environ. 922:171268
Wicaksono WA et al (2023) Microb Ecol. 86(2):973-984
Soto-Giron MJ et al. (2021) Sci Rep 11, 24017
Banerjee S, van der Heijden MGA (2023) Nat Rev Microbiol 18, 607–621
Xiong C, Lu Y (2022) Environ Microbiol Rep. 14(6):833-849
Sorbara MT, Pamer EG (2022) Nat Rev Microbiol 20, 365–380
Gulliver EL et al. (2022) Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 56(2):192-208.