MIC 291: Selected Topics in Microbiology
Work-in-Progress Seminars
Zachery Lewis
Exit Seminar
(Mills Lab)"Influences on the Infant Intestinal Microbiome"
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
4:10 pm
1022 Life Sciences
Host: Prof. John Roth, Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
A new paper out from my lab (with Jenna Lang as the 1st author and in collaboration with Angela Zivcovic from the UC Davis Food For Health Initiative and the Department of Nutrition): The microbes we eat: abundance and taxonomy of microbes consumed in a day’s worth of meals for three diet types. The work in the paper focuses on characterizing the abundance and taxonomy of microbes in food from three model diets.
Basically, Angela prepared meals for these three diets
Food was purchased and prepared in a standard American home kitchen by the same individual using typical kitchen cleaning practices including hand washing with non-antibacterial soap between food preparation steps, washing of dishes and cooking instruments with non-antibacterial dish washing detergent, and kitchen clean-up with a combination of anti-bacterial and non-antibacterial cleaning products. Anti-bacterial products had specific anti-bacterial molecules added to them whereas “non-antibacterial” products were simple surfactant-based formulations. The goal was to simulate a typical home kitchen rather than to artificially introduce sterile practices that would be atypical of how the average American prepares their meals at home. All meals were prepared according to specific recipes (from raw ingredient preparation such as washing and chopping, to cooking and mixing).
And then she blended them and we characterzied the microbial communities in the blended samples:
After food preparation, meals were plated on a clean plate, weighed on a digital scale (model 157W; Escali, Minneapolis, MN), and then transferred to a blender (model 5,200; Vita-Mix Corporation, Cleveland, OH) and processed until completely blended (approximately 1–3 min). Prepared, ready to eat foods that were purchased outside the home were simply weighed in their original packaging and then transferred to the blender. 4 mL aliquots of the blended meal composite were extracted from the blender, transported on dry ice and then stored at −80 °C until analysis. The following analyses were completed using these meal composite samples: (1) total aerobic bacterial plate counts, (2) total anaerobic bacterial plate counts, (3) yeast plate counts, (4) fungal plate counts, and (5) 16S rDNA analysis for microbial ecology.
And Jenna Lang coordainted the sequence analysis and then Angela and Jenna (with some help here and there from me) coordianted the analysis of the different microbial data and the writing of the paper.
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| Figure 5: Biplot of taxa in sample PCoA space. |
Lots of interesting things reported in the paper (read it, I insist). I note – this is a demonstration project in a way – trying to get the community and others to think about the source pools of microbes that come into our system from our food. It is by no means comprehensive or conclusive (read the caveats section of the paper). Congrats to Jenna and Angela for all their hard work. Anyway – the paper is Open Access in PeerJ. Eat it up.
UPDATE: Some press and blog coverage
Just taking some notes here – relates to a discussion going on online. Would love pointers to other references relating to hype and the human genome project (including references that think it was not overhyped). I note – see some of my previous posts about this issue including: Human genome project oversold? sure but lets not undersell basic science and various Overselling Genomics awards.
Here are some things I have found:
White House press conference on announcing completetion of the human genome
Genome science will have a real impact on all our lives — and even more, on the lives of our children. It will revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases. In coming years, doctors increasingly will be able to cure diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and cancer by attacking their genetic roots. In fact, it is now conceivable that our children’s children will know the term cancer only as a constellation of stars.
Collins et al. New Goals for the U.S. Human Genome Project: 1998–2003
The Human Genome Project (HGP) is fulfilling its promise as the single most important project in biology and the biomedical sciences— one that will permanently change biology and medicine.
Human Genome -The Biggest Sellout in Human History
The Human Genome Project: Hype meets reality
NOVA: Nature vs. Nurture Revisited
After a decade of hype surrounding the Human Genome Project, punctuated at regular intervals by gaudy headlines proclaiming the discovery of genes for killer diseases and complex traits, this unexpected result led some journalists to a stunning conclusion. The seesaw struggle between our genes (nature) and the environment (nurture) had swung sharply in favor of nurture.
The human genome project, 10 years in: Did they oversell the revolution? in the Globa and Mail by Paul Taylor referring to: “Deflating the Genomic Bubble“
Also see Genomic Medicine: Too Great Expectations? by PP O Rourke
Also Has the Genomic Revolution Failed?
And Human genome 10th anniversary. Waiting for the revolution.
The Medical Revolution in Slate.
A Decade Later, Genetic Map Yields Few New Cures in the New York Times.
In announcing on June 26, 2000, that the first draft of the human genome had been achieved, Mr. Clinton said it would “revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases.”
At a news conference, Francis Collins, then the director of the genome agency at the National Institutes of Health, said that genetic diagnosis of diseases would be accomplished in 10 years and that treatments would start to roll out perhaps five years after that.
The ethics of expectations: biobanks and the promise of personalised medicine.
NNB report: Ten years later, Harvard assesses the genome map where regarding Eric Lander:
At the same time, , he said genomic research has “gone so much faster than I would have imagined.” He cited ” an explosion of work that will culminate, I think in the next five years, in a pretty comprehensive list of all the target that lead to different kinds of cancers and give us a kind of roadmap for finding the Achilles heel of cancers for therapeutics and diagnostics.”
while at the same time he blamed the press for the hype
From Great 15-Year Project To Decipher Genes Stirs Opposition in the Times June 1990
‘Our project is something that we can do now, and it’s something that we should do now,” said Dr. James D. Watson, a Nobel laureate who heads the National Center for Human Genome Research at the National Institutes of Health. ”It’s essentially immoral not to get it done as fast as possible.”
From SCIENTIST AT WORK: Francis S. Collins; Unlocking the Secrets of the Genome
And, Dr. Collins adds, there is nothing more important in science and medicine than the project he heads
Dr. Collins predicts that within 10 years everyone will have the opportunity to find out his or her own genetic risks, to know if cancer or heart attacks or diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease, for example, lies in the future.
From READING THE BOOK OF LIFE: THE DOCTOR’S WORLD; Genomic Chief Has High Hopes, and Great Fears, for Genetic Testing June 2000 in the NY Times
The story goes through some predictions Francis Collins made for the future in a talk. These included:
Dear Prof Jonathan,
How are you? I hope every thing is going well. I hope to share work with you and initiate a collaboration between you and me in biology department, Kind Abdulaziz university . My research focuses on (redacted detail). I hope that you would agree .
Redacted Name,Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA.
My response:
What kind of collaboration are you imagining?
His response:
Hi Prof Jonathan,
Let me to explain that the king abdulaziz university initiated a project which is called Highly Cited Professor ( HiCi). This project can provide a contract between you and our university and from this contract you can get 7000 US$ as a monthly salary .So this project will allow you to generate two research proposal between you and a research stuff here in order to make an excellent publications in high quality journals as you always do.
I hope that I was clear. I’ m looking forward to hear from you. Finally, I think that a very good chance to learn from you.
Another email from him:
Dear prof Jonathan,
I’ d like to tell that Prof Inder Verma will come tomorrow to our university as a highly cited professor and he also signed a contract with us. At March 28 Prof Paul Hebert will come to our university and we actually generated two projects with Prof Paul. I hope you trust me and you call Prof Inder and Paul to be sure.
From me:
I trust you – just am very busy so not sure if this is right for me
Sent from my iPhone
From him:
You will come to our university for just two visits annually and each visit will take only one week. Take you time to think. Bye
Another email from him
Seat Dr Jonathan,
What is your decision?
You have not really provided me with enough information about this.
From him:
Well, you will sign a contract as a highly cited professor between you and KAU. if it happen you will get 7,000 US$ per month for one year as a salary. From this project you would be able to generate two proposal with around 200,000 US$ and you will get incentives from each one. In the further we can initiate a mega project with 1.5 million US$. Is that clear?
From me:
I could use a formal , legal description of the agreement that one is expected to sign
You can ask Prof Dr. Inder Verma he is now in my department and he did two presentation today. Also you can ask my professor prof Paul Hebert, biodiversity institute of Ontario who will come to my department in March 28,2014.
if you would agree . Coul you please provide me with your CV with list of publication?
Are you agree or no?
No
You have not provided me with anywhere near enough info to evaluate this
Do you have any legal agreement I can look at?
Agreement from KAU
without providing me with your CV I could not be able to talk to university administration. I told you before ask under verma or Paul Hebert both of them have contract. Dr verma ” editor in chief of PNAS who is left KAS since 4 hours ago. Finally, its up to.
No thanks
Not interested from what you have told me
Dr. Mansour Almazroui
12/17/13
to jaeisen
Dear Prof. Jonathan Eisen ,I am Dr. Mansour Almazroui, Highly Cited Program Manager, at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On behalf of KAU with great pleasure, I would like to invite you to join our innovative collaboration program that is called “International Affiliation program”.
KAU is considered as the largest university in the region serving more than 150,000 students, with around 4,000 faculty members and 30 colleges. For more information please locate us at: http://www.kau.edu.sa.
The envisaged program aims to elevate our local research activities in various fields. We only extend our invitation to highly ranked researchers like you, with a solid track record in research and publications to work with KAU professors.
Joining our program will immediately put you on an annual contract, as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor. In this regard, you will only be required to work at KAU premises for three weeks in each year of your contract.
We hope you to accept our invitation and looking forward to welcome you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any further query or clarification.
Sincerely,
Mansour
—
————————————————————————————–
Dr. Mansour Almazroui
Highly Cited Program Manager,
Office of the Vice President for Graduated Studies and Research,
King Abdulaziz University (KAU).
&
Director, Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research
King Abdulaziz University
P. O. Box 80234, Jeddah 21589,
Saudi Arabia
I am intrigued but need more information about the three weeks of time at KAU and the details on the contract.
Jonathan Eisen
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Prof. Jonathan Eisen ,
Hope this email finds you in good health. Thank you for your interest. Please find below the information you requested to be a “Distinguished Adjunct Professor” at KAU.
1. Joining our program will put you on an annual contract initially for one year but further renewable. However, either party can terminate its association with one month prior notice.
2. The Salary per month is $ 6000 for the period of contract.
3. You will be required to work at KAU premises for three weeks in each contract year. For this you will be accorded with expected three visits to KAU.
4. Each visit will be at least for one week long but extendable as suited for research needs.
5. Air tickets entitlement will be in Business-class and stay in Jeddah will be in a five star hotel. The KAU will cover all travel and living expenses of your visits.
6. You have to collaborate with KAU local researchers to work on KAU funded (up to $100,000.00) projects.
7. It is highly recommended to work with KAU researchers to submit an external funded project by different agencies in Saudi Arabia.
8. May submit an international patent.
9. It is expected to publish some papers in ISI journals with KAU affiliation.
10. You will be required to amend your ISI highly cited affiliation details at the ISI highlycited.com web site to include your employment and affiliation with KAU.
Kindly let me know your acceptance so that the official contract may be preceded.
Sincerely,
Mansour
One way to make some extra money … Sell your reputation / ISI index
Sent from my iPhone
One key question is – what are the rules and guidelines and ehitcs of listing affiliations on papers. Here are some tidbits on this
From Nature Communications:
The primary affiliation for each author should be the institution where the majority of their work was done.
From Taylor and Francis
The affiliations of all named co-authors should be the affiliation where the research was conducted.
From SAGE
Present the authors’ affiliation addresses (where the actual work was done) below the names.
UPDATE 2: Some other posts of relevance
UPDATE 3: A Storify
Just got this by email from Holly Bik who was a PostDoc in my lab until a few months ago ..
Dear Colleagues,
I wanted to bring to your attention a PhD opportunity in my group at the University of Birmingham, UK – apologies for any cross-posting:
Using ‘omic methods to determine how sediment communities of microbial eukaryotes respond to oil spills and environmental disturbance –http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=59530&LID=124
The focus of the project would span both shallow-water and deep-sea sediments, including natural hydrocarbon seeps and locations impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The project would be ideal for candidates looking to develop skills in bioinformatics and computational biology.
This studentship is available to UK and EU candidates that meet NERC’s requirements for both academic qualifications and residential eligibility (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/studentships).
Regards,
Holly
Please join Innovating Communication and Scholarship (ICIS), the Center for Science and Innovation Studies (CSIS), and Science and Technology Studies for a lunchtime event with Evelyn Lincoln on:
Publication Anxiety in Early Modern Italy
When: Thursday December 11th from 12:10 – 1:30 PM
Where: Room SS&H 1246 (STS /CSIS Room)
Discussant: Alessandro Delfanti
Lunch provided. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Abstract: Publishing a book in
early modern Rome meant braving the Inquisition and the difficulties of
Renaissance business relationships to enter a conversation taking place
in print that was often less than civil.
Authors worried about being accused of claiming to be more
knowledgeable than they really were. On the other hand, they also
actually may have been presenting themselves as something they were not,
and worried about being found out. Some authors found themselves
with time on their hands as their books languished in the presses,
encouraging them to pen long blaming screeds against the publishers who
were forced to include them in the finished book. Strategies for
managing publication anxiety on the part of both publishers
and authors were inventive, original, and different in every book, and
they came to shape the combative and dialogical character of late
sixteenth-century Roman book printing.
Evelyn Lincoln is Professor of the History of Art & Architecture and Italian Studies at Brown University. Her first book,
the Invention of the Italian Renaissance Printmaker (Yale, 2000) traced the careers of pictorial printmakers in Italy in the first century of its development. Brilliant Discourse. Pictures and Readers in Early Modern Rome (Yale, 2014) looks at the role played by the publication of
illustrated technical manuals in forming networks of printers,
publishers, artists and patrons, all of whom were also readers. Her
research investigates knowledge networks formed through making
and using pictures in the early modern world.
After you RSVP, you will be emailed with the paper to be discussed.
Kelly Weinersmith
Exit seminar Tuesday (Dec 2nd) at 9AM in 2120J Wickson Hall.
"Parasite manipulation of host phenotype: mechanisms, behavior, ecology, and evolution."
Exit Seminar Flyer Weinersmith.pdf
UC Davis Women in Medicine and Health Sciences
WIMHS, in Partnership with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
PRESENTS:
Debra G.B. Leonard, MD, PhD Professor and Chair
“Leaning In and Moving Up”
January 22, 2015
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
(Broadway Café box-lunch provided)
FSSB Building, Room 2030 4800 2nd Avenue, Sacramento
Register Online:
https://somapp.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/academicaffairs /courses/secure/Courses.cfm?Status=10
Dr. Debra G.B. Leonard served as Chief Diversity Officer at Weill-Cornell Medical School. Dr. Leonard will discuss her experience with best practices and challenges in diversifying faculty from her perspective while at WCU.
Debra G. B. Leonard, MD, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Vermont Medical Center
WIMHS: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/wimhs/index.html WIMHSFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UC- Davis-Women–in-Medicine-and_Science/218743748158322
Jan_2015_WIMHS_Leonard_Lecture_Flyer.pdf
So – I participated in a fundraiser for Emily Levine’s “The Edge of Chaos” film a week ago. And one of the key guests was Matt Groening. Not only did I get to hang out with him and discuss fecal transplants with him (really) but I had a front row seat to Matt discussing the history of how he came up with the general outline of the Simpson’s characters.
And in addition to this being just awesome to witness, one part of it struck me. See the video below and in particular the part that struck me was the beginning:
So – since I discussed fecal transplants with Matt and since he gave a good description of facial characteristics being easy to identify, I think we should definitely (1) try and get him to include microbiomes on the Simpsons and (2) for our work we should use Simpsons characters as model faces for different microbiomes …
Oh and I also showed Groening some of the pics of my kids reading his “Hell” books:
Jonathan Eisen's Lab 