[UCI-Calit2] Human Immune System and the Gut Microbiome - Oct. 14

Anna Lynn Spitzer aspitzer at calit2.uci.edu
Fri Oct 4 11:47:28 PDT 2013


Systems Biology Series

"The Systems Biology Dynamics of the Human Immune System and Gut Microbiome"

Time:                 11 a.m.

Date:                  Monday, Oct. 14, 2013

Location:            Natural Sciences 1, Room 1114, UC Irvine

Speaker:             Larry Smarr, Harry E. Gruber Professor, UC San Diego Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Founding Director, Calit2

Description:       In the last few years great progress has been made on using genetic sequencing to reveal the extraordinary microbial ecology that co-habits our human bodies. Indeed,  approximately 90 percent of the cells in our superorganism are microbial and they contain approximately 99% of the DNA genes contained in our body. After birth, the growing diversity of gut bacterial species acts as a series of training sets to "boot up" the human immune system, leading to a lifetime coupled
system of immune components and microbial ecology. In health the constant feedback between the immune system and microbiome leads to homeostasis in the gut.
However, in autoimmune diseases this balance fails, leading to large oscillations in immune variables and massive disruption of the microbial ecology. I will demonstrate this dysbiotic state with data taken from my own gut over the last five years.
Deep metagenomic sequencing of the my gut microbiome reveals system dynamics at the species or even strain level. After exhibiting the ability to read out the immune system /microbiome dynamics, I will review current efforts to model this important biological system computationally or in vitro.
Link:      http://ccbs.uci.edu/2012-02-07-00-50-37/2012-02-08-21-33-34
If you're interested in meeting with Dr. Smarr, please contact Naomi Carreon at: ncarreon at uci.edu<mailto:ncarreon at uci.edu>
Please RSVP if you're attending. A light lunch will be served.

Sponsors:           UCI Center for Complex Biological Systems


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