Professor Kenji Kikusui of the Laboratory of Interventional Zoology, Department of Applied Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University will begin joint research with BIOTA, Inc. on ``analysis of bacterial flora in the environment, animals, and human society.''
At the Azabu University Intermediate Zoology Laboratory, we have investigated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and social behavior of animals, such as discovering that the microbiota and cognitive brain are involved in the sociality of mice.Currently, I am participating in the Tokyo Teen Cohort Study under the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research S, and have started analyzing the relationship between the improvement of well-being in children raised with dogs and the microbiota, and have begun to study the relationship between the mental and physical health of humans and the microbiota. Efforts are underway to elucidate the relationship.
Meanwhile, BIOTA has previously discovered through research the magnitude of the impact that the microbiome in various built environments, such as homes and offices, has on human health.The components and variables of the built environment microbiome are known to be complex and dependent on a variety of environmental factors.In addition, indigenous bacteria present in pets such as dogs and cats bred there are also important constituents.Previous research has shown that when pets and humans coexist in a built environment, there is a direct or indirect transfer of resident bacteria from pets to humans, which may promote the development of human immunity. It has been suggested.
This joint research aims to investigate microbial interactions between humans and pets in the built environment and their effects on health. Investigate microbial movement and sharing.In addition, we will explore the effects of migrated and shared microbial communities on humans through whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomic analysis, and phenotype confirmation tests using culture methods.
It is hoped that we will be able to elucidate the relationship between pets and humans from the perspective of the microbiome and find new value in their symbiotic relationship.In addition, if we can find a clue to elucidating the relationship between human mental and physical health and microbiota, such as how pets can improve human immunity and reduce the risk of diseases, it may lead to solving social issues from the perspective of public health. be.
