Modeling microbial population dynamics to enable rational microbiota-based therapies

Microbes that are associated with us are often in assemblies of several species, called microbiota. Microbiota can be beneficial, for example by protecting us from harmful microbes in the environment. Despite such impact on our health, systematic ways to sway microbiota composition towards a desired state do not exist. To control microbiota composition, a rational approach involves a reliable model capable of predicting microbiota dynamics. Building on simple empirical characterization of microbial interactions, we construct models of population dynamics in microbiota. Using these models, we search for general principles describing how microbes can persistently coexist or how a resident microbiota can resist invaders. Furthermore, we explore how heterogeneity in time or space can affect microbiota properties. We compare our results with those obtained from lab experiments in simple communities assembled using nasal bacteria to explore the range of applicability of our models. Lastly, we will discuss the prospects and limitations of rational strategies for microbiota-based therapy.  
 

https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/biology/people/faculty-directory/babak-momeni.html