Microbiome Mining for New Cures | Ross Youngs | TEDxHilliard

Summary

The speaker explores the profound relationship between humans and microorganisms, highlighting how these pervasive entities outnumber our own cells and influence various aspects of our lives, from hunger cues to potential romantic connections. They discuss the significant role of microbiomes in drug discovery, tracing the origins of antibiotics like penicillin and cancer treatments from natural sources. As science advances, the complexity of genomics and the epigenome reveals the need for a deeper understanding of microbiomes in finding new cures. The presentation underscores the importance of microbiomes for future health solutions, encouraging the audience to embrace this concept.

Takeaways

• 😀 We are composed of human cells and a vast array of microorganisms, highlighting our complex biological makeup.
• 🦠 Microorganisms are crucial for our survival and have played a significant role in shaping the Earth’s environment over billions of years.
• 🤔 The microbiome is integral to our bodies, influencing aspects like hunger and even social connections.
• 💡 For every human gene, there are about 100 genes from our microbiome, underscoring its genetic complexity.
• 🔬 The discovery of drugs has historically relied on microorganisms, with significant examples like penicillin originating from them.
• 🌳 Other sources of drugs, such as taxol from the Pacific yew tree, demonstrate nature's role in pharmaceutical advancements.
• 📊 Drug discovery is challenging due to the complexity of interactions and the high mutation rates of microorganisms.
• ⚗️ Advances in combinatorial chemistry have not yet yielded substantial new drug discoveries, indicating the complexity of finding effective treatments.
• 🧬 The decoding of the human genome revealed complexities, including epigenomics, affecting individual health and disease susceptibility.
• 🚀 The future of drug discovery lies in the microbiome, with initiatives like the Microbiome Initiative supporting research into this field.

Q & A

What is the relationship between humans and microorganisms?

Humans are composed of human cells and a vast number of microorganisms, which outnumber human cells significantly. These microorganisms are integral to our biology and play a crucial role in various bodily functions.

How do microorganisms influence our hunger and food preferences?

Microorganisms in our microbiome communicate with us and can influence when we feel hungry and what we desire to eat, indicating a complex relationship between our microbiome and our dietary choices.

What is the significance of the microbiome in drug discovery?

Many drugs have originated from microorganisms. For example, penicillin was discovered from a mold, and various drugs have been developed based on compounds found in nature, particularly microorganisms.

What challenges do researchers face in discovering new drugs?

Finding new drugs is challenging due to the low probability of producing viable drug compounds from microorganisms. Only a small fraction of microorganisms can be cultured, and even fewer yield useful substances.

What is combinatorial chemistry and how has it influenced drug development?

Combinatorial chemistry is a method that allows researchers to create a vast number of chemical compounds quickly. Despite its potential, it has resulted in only a few new drugs because the vast variety of possible small molecules makes random discovery very difficult.

What role does the microbiome play in genomic research?

The microbiome contains a vast number of genes—approximately 100 times more than our human genome. This complexity adds a layer of difficulty to genomic research and drug discovery, as environmental factors and interactions also influence gene expression.

How can the microbiome contribute to future medical advancements?

The microbiome is considered a promising source for new medical treatments and cures. Researchers are exploring uncultured microorganisms to discover new biochemical properties that could lead to breakthroughs in medicine.

What was the Microbiome Initiative announced in 2016?

The Microbiome Initiative is a recognition of the significance of the microbiome in understanding human health and disease, emphasizing the need for research into microbial communities and their effects on our biology.

Why is the study of horizontal gene transfer important?

Horizontal gene transfer allows microorganisms to share genetic material with different species, including plants. This process can have significant implications for understanding evolutionary biology and the development of new traits or resistances in organisms.

What should students be encouraged to consider for their future studies?

Students should be encouraged to explore the field of microbiomes, as they hold immense potential for future scientific research and medical advancements.