Shining a Spotlight on Researchers Accelerating Gut Microbiome Discoveries

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Mar 20, 2019, 09:00 ET

On March 28, 2019 the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation will honor four researchers and their award-winning initiatives to explore the connections between our gut microbiome and disease

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation (BMF), an organization founded by Biocodex and dedicated to inspiring scientific projects that explore the structure and function of microbiota, has announced it will host an awards luncheon on March 28 in San Francisco. The event will celebrate four researchers who are conducting groundbreaking research on the role microbiota plays in preventing or treating common human health ailments.

Discoveries in recent years have determined that the human microbiome has a significant impact on our health. For example, a growing amount of research shows that changes in the composition of gut flora can sometimes affect brain function. Additionally, research indicates that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have different microbiota than healthy people.

The event's theme, "Discovering the Connection Between Our Gut Microbiome and Various Diseases," will highlight two innovative researchers from the BMF's United States subsidiary and two from the Canada subsidiary who've been awarded research grants over the last two years.

The 2017 grant winners, Dr. Rashim Singh (USA) and Dr. Alberto Caminero-Fernandez (Canada), were awarded grants for their research toward dietary interactions with microbiota. Dr. Singh is investigating the role of the gut microbiome and its constitution in the increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) while Dr. Caminero-Fernandez is working to prevent and cure inflammatory bowel disease by understanding the microbes involved in tryptophan metabolism.

The 2018 grant winners include Dr. Tao Yang from the United States and Dr. Williams Turpin from Canada. Dr. Yang, whose research topic focused around interactions of microbiota within the gut-brain axis, is working to increase the efficacy of antihypertension drugs. Dr. Turpin, whose research topic focused on microbiota and directed therapies in chronic intestinal diseases, is studying specific microbes and how they contribute to the onset of Chron's disease.

In addition, the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation's scientific board members will be present at the event, including: Dr. Leo Dieleman from University of Alberta, Dr. Deana Gibson from University of British Columbia, Dr. Ruth Ann Luna from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Emeran Mayer from University of California Los Angeles, Dr. Erica Sonnenburg from Stanford University, and Dr. Elena Verdu from McMaster University.

Drs. Mayer, Sonnenburg and Verdu will speak at the event to discuss their ongoing research initiatives in the microbiota field and their experience working with the Foundation.

You can view live updates from the event on the Biocodex Microbiota Institute's Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information on the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, visit http://www.biocodexmicrobiotafoundation.com/foundation.

About Biocodex
Biocodex is a family-owned, international pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial enterprise operating in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1953, the company is a leading provider toward the research and understanding of human microbiota and has been widely recognized for its unique probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745^®, the first probiotic drug of its kind that has a positive effect on the gut's microflora. Today, Biocodex has transformed itself beyond its probiotic drug roots, expanding into therapeutic areas including gastroenterology, pain management, oncology, neurology/psychiatry, rheumatology and otolaryngology. Biocodex is dedicated to providing its customers with meaningful healthcare solutions and remaining responsible to ensure every aspect of their business is conducted with integrity.

About Biocodex Microbiota Foundation
The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation's mission is to support research into microbiota and its interaction with various pathologies. Research is supported through grants given to projects that investigate the implication of microbiota in human health. BMF supports both fundamental and applied research, and projects are selected annually by a committee of independent, international scientists.

The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation (BMF) is a non-profit, general interest organization.

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Kayli Berlin
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SOURCE Biocodex Microbiota Foundation