Alexandra (Sasha) Zhernakova
Professor genome and exposome
University Medical Center Groningen

Host: Thomas Vogl

Program

Host and environmental factors shaping the gut microbiome
The gut microbiome is a complex organ that is highly dynamic and is influenced by both environmental and host factors. In a large microbiome study in Dutch population cohort Lifelines, we study the effect of environment, shared household, and individual genetics on the composition of gut microbiome in adults, and explore the dynamics of the gut microbiome in families during pregnancy and early life. The environment has a major effect on interindividual differences in the microbiome. In particular, individual diet, medication, diseases, and exposures to smoking, pets and pollutants are influencing the gut ecosystem. Individuals in the same household have more similar microbiomes, which is largely explained by the shared environment. Host genetics affects a subset of heritable bacteria and can be linked to functional variations in bacterial genes and gene clusters.

Sasha Zhernakova is currently serving as a Rosalind Franklin Fellow in the Department of Genetics at the University Medical Centre Groningen since October 2011, she has made significant contributions to the field of genetics and bioinformatics.