This episode features Prof. Jens Walter PhD, a microbial ecologist from University College Cork / APC Microbiome Ireland, explaining how he applies ecological and evolutionary frameworks for the purposes of understanding and modulating microbiomes. Although there appears to be a high amount of stochasticity (or randomness) in microbiomes, stochastic and deterministic elements work together to determine outcomes. Priority effects (based on arrival order of a bacterium or other microorganism) are important, with communities likely taking shape through a combination of priority effects and adaptation to the niche. The potential to modulate the microbiome is high in early life, as there are many ecological possibilities. For established microbiomes (for example, in adults), Prof. Walter’s group has found that diet (for example, the “NiMe” diet they developed)  is a possible way to modulate the microbial community, although the effect on the overall ecosystem is small. Nevertheless, dietary modulation may have positive and important effects on host health.

Episode abbreviations and links:

• Paper showing how fiber precisely modulates the gut microbiome: Precision Microbiome Modulation with Discrete Dietary Fiber Structures Directs Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production

About Prof. Jens Walter PhD:

Jens Walter serves as the Professor of Ecology, Food, and the Microbiome at University College Cork and the APC Microbiome Ireland. His expertise lies at the interface of evolutionary ecology of the gut microbiome and human nutrition. His research focuses on the evolutionary and ecological processes that have shaped host-microbiome symbiosis and the translation of basic microbiome science into therapeutic and nutritional strategies. Dr. Walter and his collaborators have pioneered the application of ecological theory to elucidate ecological and nutritional factors that shape gut microbiomes and have achieved targeted modulations of microbiomes via dietary strategies and live microbes. Prof. Walter has published >140 peer-reviewed publications (google scholar H-index 69, >23,000 citations) and is a ‘highly cited researcher’ according to the Web of Science group.