In the largest genomic analysis of UK infant microbiomes to date, researchers have uncovered a type of bacterium that helps digest breast milk and protects a baby’s gut from pathogens.
Newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth, one of which could be used to develop new personalised infant therapeutic probiotics, researchers show.
Further research such as the Microbes, Milk, Mental Health and Me (4M) project is now needed to understand the impact of pioneer bacteria on health. 4M is a key strand of the flagship birth cohort study Children Growing Up in Liverpool (C-GULL). Over time, part of the study involving 10,000 mother and baby pairs, will understand how the infant gut microbiome and early life feeding affect brain development, behaviour, emotions and mental health later in life.
This latest research of UK infant microbiomes from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University College London (UCL), and the University of Birmingham, used whole genome sequencing to analyse stool samples from 1,288 healthy infants, all under one month old from the UK Baby Biome Study.
This research found that one of these beneficial bacterial pioneers was genetically adapted to make full use of the nutrients in breast milk, suggesting that it is the most suited to thrive in a baby’s microbiome. The team uncovered that this bacterium can also block pathogens from colonising the babies’ gut, highlighting its significant potential as a natural probiotic.
The findings could support the development of infant formulas and therapeutic probiotics containing the most effective natural strains for the baby’s gut.
Professor Louise Kenny, Lead Investigator on the C-GULL study, said: “Decisions around mode of childbirth and breastfeeding are complex and personal, and it’s important to note that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to what the best options are for you and your baby. It is also important to note that we still have an incomplete understanding of how the role of mode of birth and different methods of infant feeding influence microbiome development and how this impacts later health. That’s why this research is vital. We must continue to find new ways to ensure that all children are supported to have the best possible start in life.”
More about C-GULL
Children Growing Up in Liverpool (C-GULL) is the first large scale birth cohort study in the Liverpool City Region, and will track 10,000 first born babies and their families from early in pregnancy through childhood and beyond.
Researchers are collecting information on their biological, physical, and mental health, as well as the home environment and more. This innovative study uses the latest data collection methods to give a comprehensive picture of the early life origins of health and wellbeing. This information will be used to inform policies and practices that promote the health and well-being of families in Liverpool and beyond.
C-GULL is a partnership between the University of Liverpool, the Wellcome Trust, Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and Liverpool City Council. The study is delivered in collaboration with the NIHR Clinical Research Network North West Coast.
The paper, ‘Primary succession of Bifidobacteria drives pathogen resistance in neonatal microbiota assembly’ was published in Nature Microbiology (DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01804-9)