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Technical Skills

 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