Modern Mortality Regimes 3: The Microbiome

Question 1

Define microbiome.

Answer 1

Microorganisms that live on and in us.

Question 2

What type of surfaces do microbes live on?

Answer 2

Mucosal

Question 3

What is a mucosal surface?

Answer 3

Surface facing the environment e.g. skin, lung, reproductive tract

Question 4

Define microbiota.

Answer 4

Microorganisms of a particular habitat.

Question 5

When was The Human Microbiome project established?

Answer 5

2007

Question 6

Who was The Human Microbiome Project funded by and by how much?

Answer 6

140 million funding by the USA National Institute of Health/European Commission MetaHIT project.

Question 7

List the aims of The Human Microbiome Project.

Answer 7

• To find out whether humans share a ‘core’ microbiome
• To find out if changes in microbiome correlate with health
• To develop technological tools
• To address ethical, legal & social implications

Question 8

How many bacteria are in the colonic microbiota?

Answer 8

10 to the power of 14

Question 9

How many different species are in the colonic microbiota?

Answer 9

1500

Question 10

Define colonic microbiota.

Answer 10

The largest population of microbes colonising humans from birth.

Question 11

Identify the 2 most dominant bacteria and which type of bacteria they are.

Answer 11

Firmicutes - gram positive
Bacteriodetes - gram negative