Steven K Higginbottom

US Patent:

20110281762, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

May 11, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/068488

Inventors:

Justin L. Sonnenburg - Redwood City CA, US
Steven Kyle Higginbottom - Morgan Hill CA, US
Erica D. Sonnenburg - Redwood City CA, US

International Classification:

C40B 30/06
C12Q 1/68
C12Q 1/02

US Classification:

506 10, 435 29, 435 612

Abstract:

Methods and compositions are provided for the screening of candidate agents for their effect on the growth and colonization of hosts by anaerobic microorganisms, particularly microorganisms that comprise the gut microbiota of mammals. In some embodiments of the invention, candidate agents are screened for the ability to modulate growth of multiple microbes within a taxon, or functionally related microbes. In some embodiments of the invention, candidate agents are screened for the ability to modulate growth across a genus or functionally-defined group when the microorganisms are presented with a substrate of interest, which substrates include, without limitation, prebiotic compounds that promote expansion of divergent taxa within the microbiota, e.g. starch, fats, isoflavones, etc.