Exploring the next frontier in human, animal, plant, and soil health
The study of microbial interactions has undergone a massive paradigm shift in recent years. Whereas the study of microbes once focused mainly on individual species, we now recognize that the collective and synergistic effects of “communities of microorganisms” – aka microbiomes – have an enormous impact on their environment. From soils and plants to humans and animals, microbiomes have the ability profoundly shape their host environment in both positive and negative ways.
This paradigm shift has led to an explosion in microbiome research around the world. Ten years ago, there were just over 2,000 papers on microbiome and health alone; today there are over 44,000 with new discoveries emerging every day. Many have called microbiomes the “next frontier” in the life sciences.
At the University of Guelph, a growing number of researchers are exploring the power of microbiomes to transform the way we produce food, manage the environment and maintain (or restore) human and animal health. These researchers are building on noted areas of research strength at UofG (soil and food science, plant and animal agriculture, molecular biology and bioinformatics) to shed light on how microbiomes influence essential biological functions. They are aided by advanced molecular technologies (‘omics) that vastly expand our ability to understand how microbes are connected to each other and their host, and novel approaches to culturing microbes once thought “unculturable” (e.g., see Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe describe her pioneering human bioreactor system, the “Robogut”, here).
Microbiomes at Guelph (MAG) is a new working group that brings together approximately 45 faculty members from different disciplines and departments at UG who share the goal of advancing knowledge and innovation in the field of microbiome science. MAG provides a platform for sharing information and resources, facilitating new collaborations, and enhanced opportunities for HQP training and networking. For a full list of current faculty members, see our Members page.
Learn more about microbiome research by MAG members by exploring our “Research” section.
For more information about MAG or if you are a UG researcher who would like to join the working group, please see our “Contact” page.
VISION
In our vision, Microbiomes at Guelph will harness the power of microbiomes to develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges in human and animal health, soil remediation, sustainable agriculture and food safety.
MISSION
Our mission is to support leading edge microbiome research across diverse disciplines by developing novel research tools and approaches, leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise to address complex research questions, and sharing resources and infrastructure to accelerate discovery.
Harnessing the microbiome: examples of MAG projects
Interaction between circadian system, gut microbiome and cardiac repair following heart attacks
Role of microbiome dysfunction in the etiology of colorectal cancer and Parkinson’s disease
Improvement of honeybee health through management of the bee gut microbiome
Feeding strategies to improve gut health and disease resistance in poultry, swine and farmed fish
Role of the skin microbiome in innate immunity
Ethical implications of human microbiome research and its applications
Development of soil microbiome-based approaches to remediating contaminated soils
Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs with fecal transplants
Impacts of stress on wildlife microbiomes
Influence of food additives on the gut microbiome
Development of novel, microbial-based approaches to protect crops from abiotic stress and pathogens
Inheritance and transmission of plant microbiomes
Our Collaborators
Within Canada
And beyond…
Latest News and Events
MAG researcher receives federal funding: Dr. Kieran O’Doherty has received $707,624 to investigate society’s relationship to the human microbiome. Read more about this funding announcement.
MAG researcher in the news: Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe was interviewed by CBC on the topic of gut microbes and food dyes. You can read the full interview here.
Gairdner Microbiome Symposium: Exploring Nutrition, Health, and Culture through a Microbiome Lens. The University of Guelph’s College of Biological Science hosted the Gairdner Microbiome Symposium on June 20, 2024, in partnership with the Gairdner Foundation. The day-long event will explore the role of the microbiome in medicine and nutrition, as well as the impacts of culture and industrialization on our gut microbiomes.
Canada Foundation for Innovation funds new MAG research hub: Drs. Emma Allen-Vercoe and Kari Dunfield will receive more than $4.5 million to establish the Microbiome Preservation and Analysis Centre (MiPAC), which will house a microbiome cultivation hub and a specialist microbial repository. Read the full announcement here.
Microbiome Stewardship Workshop: A Conversation about Microbiomes, Health, and Environments. On December 14, 2023, Kieran O’Doherty led this workshop to foster interdisciplinary thinking in microbiome research. Participants discussed questions such as: How does safeguarding healthy microbiomes fit into existing public health initiatives? How does microbiome stewardship relate to other forms of conservation and biodiversity management? How do agricultural practices and water management relate to ensuring healthy microbiomes? A brief report can be downloaded below:
