Techniques
- Isolation, culturing and handling of aerobes and strict anaerobes
- Identification, typing and characterising of microorganisms by phenotyping and molecular techniques
- Study of microbial populations via classic culturing and culture-independent technique (PCR, qPCR, PCR-DGGE)
- Study of metabolite production (organic acids, short chain fatty acids. etc.) by the gut microbiota
- Development of models of host-microorganism interactions: adhesion to epithelial cells, effects on gene expression in microorganisms and human cell lines, effects on epithelial integrity, inhibition of pathogens, etc.
- qPCR examination of the expression (at the mRNA level) of markers of inflammation, lipid metabolism genes, appetite hormones, etc.
- Quantification of plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin and glucose etc.
Experimental work
- Isolation and manipulation of hard-to-handle intestinal anaerobes for their characterisation and study in vitro
- Observational studies: obtaining and analysing data on the gut microbiota, biochemical and immunological variables, and dietary habits, in different groups of the population
- Collaboration in intervention studies involving prebiotics, probiotics and specific diets
- Effects of administering prebiotics/probiotics on lipid metabolism, gene expression in lipid metabolism, proinflammatory markers, genes involved in intestinal permeability, and appetite-regulating hormones (PYY, GLP-1 etc.) in different tissues
- Technological properties of probiotic organisms: acidification and coagulation of milk, proteolytic and viscosifying properties, microbial compatibility, production of volatile compounds and organic acids, and sensorial studies