Lecture Overview
In this lecture, Dr. Hooper introduces us to the fascinating world of human gut microbiota; the microorganisms that live within our bodies. Although we may think that most bacteria are harmful, Hooper provides ample evidence that symbiotic gut microbes are important to good human health. Her lab is interested in understanding how the gut microbiota changes during illness or disease and how it influences our ability to fight infections. Using germ-free mice, they were able to demonstrate that a healthy gut microbiota can shape development of the host immune system and provide protection against dangerous infections like salmonella.
In the second part of her talk, Hooper explains how the balance of organisms in the gut microbiota is maintained. By comparing DNA microarray data from normal mice and germ-free mice, Hooper’s lab was able to look for genes induced by the gut microbiota. They identified RegIIIγ, an important protein involved in the protection against pathogenic bacteria. They showed that RegIIIγ forms pore complexes in the membranes of gram-positive bacteria and kills them. In mice and humans, the intestinal epithelium is coated with a layer of mucus. Typically, there is a gap between gut bacteria, which are found in the outer part of the mucus layer, and the epithelial cells. Hooper’s lab showed that RegIIIγ helps to maintain this gap by preventing gram-positive bacteria from colonizing the intestinal epithelial surface. This, in turn, prevents infection of the host.
Speaker Bio
Although she always was interested in science, Lora Hooper’s love for biology started after taking an introductory class at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where she was an undergraduate. Hooper continued her graduate education in the Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program at Washington University in St. Louis where she joined Jacques Baenziger’s lab. For postdoctoral training, she stayed at Washington University, in the lab of Jeffrey Gordon, where she began her studies of the interaction between gut bacteria and host cells and discovered that bacteria have the capacity to modify carbohydrates important for cell signaling.
Currently, Hooper is a Professor of Immunology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. She has established one of the handful of mouse facilities that have the capacity to breed germ-free mice. Using these mice, her lab explores the symbiotic relationship between a host and its microbiota with the aim of providing insight into human health.
Hooper was a recipient of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards in 2013 and in 2015 she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Learn more about Lora Hooper at http://hooperlab.org/ and http://www.hhmi.org/scientists/lora-v-hooper
http://www.ibiology.org/ibioseminars/mammals-symbiotic-gut-microbes-part-1-lora-hooper.html
Medical and Patient education videos
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Title
Description
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Part 8 of the Management of chronic and allergic pulmonary aspergillosis. Clinical failure and management – how to manage patients who have not responded to standard antifungals. by Prof David Denning. As presented at the 5th AAA meeting in Istanbul 25th January 2012.
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Management of allergic and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Toxicity of tri-azole antifungals. Dr Caroline Baxter at the 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis..
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Management of chronic and allergic pulmonary aspergillosis. Masterclass part 6 Antifungal side effects and toxicities. Prof Denning & Dr Caroline Baxter at the 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis.
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Management of allergic and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Masterclass part 5. Antifungal drug monitoring and azole dose modification. By Tim Felton at the 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis.
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Management of allergic and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Masterclass part 4: Approaches to therapy by Prof David Denning. Presented at 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis conference in Istanbul January 2012
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Management of allergic and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis masterclass by Prof David Denning, presented at AAA conference in Istanbul january 2012. Part 1 Clinical and Radiological presentation & diagnosis.
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The first Aspergillosis for Patients Meeting was held in Rome on Feb 3rd, 2010. Many internationally renowned scientists and doctors gave an excellent review of Aspergillosis and the latest research and treatments at a level that was designed to be understandable by laypeople rather than doctors. Some talks are now also available as podcasts at the iTunes store – search for “aspergillus and aspergillosis podcasts”.
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A summary of the potential health impacts of living in a damp home: Video provided by US companies with a financial interest in remediating homes so some marketing of specific services is featured. The Aspergillus Website does not endorse these specific services and care should be taken when employing anyone to carry out this type of work on your home.
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A collection of video and audio resources intended for patients consisting of self help, patients own stories and patient conference talks.
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A patient interview. This patient RW- with long term chronic pulmonary aspergillosis describes his experiences over 18 years during which he has taken various antifungal treatments. He remains well and currently takes itraconazole. A synopsis is shown below. This patient underwent a lung resection in 1991 for a suspect lesion in his lung, histology revealed inflammation and an area containing fungal hyphae consistent with a fungal ball. Resection appeared to cure the problem. However in 1992 he re-presented with a large new cavity near the site of the surgery and a probable fungal ball seen on X ray. A bronchoscopy sample grew aspergillus and his blood tests were positive for aspergillus precipitins. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed. Antifungal treatment on itraconazole was started and much improvement was seen. During the next few years the patient tried voriconazole (as a trial drug) – on which he experienced a red facial rash; IV amphotericin – which improved his condition markedly. Itraconazole treatment was then restarted and the patient has been largely stable on this antifungal drug over the last 13 years. On the occasions he has stopped the drug – he has relapsed and it has taken some months before he was again stable. The patient is currently in good health (11/09). We would like to thank the patient for agreeing to share his experiences.
