The science of Food and Health

Elucidation of the host defense mechanism by commensal microbes

Person in Charge of the Project : Shinji FukudaA wide variety of commensal microbes are colonized in our gut. They exert various physiological and pathological effects on our health via host-microbial crosstalk. It has been postulated that imbalance of the commensal microbiota could be a risk factor for human disorders such as diabetes, colonic cancer, as well as infectious diseases. Our recent research demonstrated that acetate produced by bifidobacteria, known as one of the probiotics, could prevent enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 infection through the up-regulation of gut epithelial barrier function.

http://bio.sfc.keio.ac.jp/

Nutriomics: The science behind "You Are What You Eat"

Person in Charge of the Project : Wanping AwIn modern day where increased life expectancy and high quality of life is of increasing importance, maintaining and promoting good health via a healthy dietary lifestyle is vital. Via metabolomics and other omics-based studies, we comprehensively analyze the beneficial effects of functional foods system-wide. We envision that the methods of this study-nutriomics, a first in the field of nutrition, will serve as a clarion call to uncover new dietary intervention strategies designed to recover normal homeostasis in disease states and to maintain healthy well-being, bringing forward a new evolution in nutritional science.

http://bio.sfc.keio.ac.jp/

The possibility of the secret of the immunity

Person in Charge of the Project : Jo InoueIn recent years, infection of viruses and bacteria has become a threat. In such situations, it is essential for the development of immunotherapy to induce a strong and effective immune responses. We have revealed that the immune response can be very strongly induced under special condition. To clarify this mechanism, we are examining the development of immunotherapy and vaccine to bring out the possibility that the secret of immunity.

http://www.iab.keio.ac.jp/