Exploring the Diversity and Genetic Traits of the Beneficial Microbiota Genus Bifidobacterium

在我们的肠道内，我们拥有各种各样的微生物（称为微生物群），它们对我们的健康至关重要。在生命最初阶段发现的主要微生物群之一是双歧杆菌，肠道中双歧杆菌属的存在与宿主免疫防御能力的提高有关。由于其相关的健康益处，有必要在全球遗传水平上探索双歧杆菌种群的多样性，确定进化情景，并在健康宿主发育的背景下探索各种遗传因素的影响。该博士研究生的目标是通过“干”（生物信息学）和“湿”（基于实验室）方法的混合研究和理解双歧杆菌的功能，使用数百个完整的双歧杆菌基因组分析来揭示属的遗传多样性，推断系统发育关系，并允许识别潜在的促进健康的遗传性状。

Within our gut we harbour a diverse collection of microbes (termed the microbiota) that are fundamental for our health. One of the dominant microbiota groups found during the first stages of life is Bifidobacterium, and presence of this genus in the gut has been linked to improved host immune defences. Due to their associated health benefits, there is significant need to explore the diversity of the bifidobacterial population at a global genetic level, determine the evolutionary scenario and also explore the influence of various genetic factors within the context of healthy host development. The goal of this PhD studentship is to study and understand bifidobacterial function through a mixture of `dry' (bioinformatics) and `wet' (lab-based) approaches using analysis of several hundred whole bifidobacterial genomes to uncover the genetic diversity of the genus, infer phylogenetic relationships and allow identification of potential health promoting genetic traits.