Research Project Description:
The gut microbiome has various roles in health and disease with those relevant to the function of the host immune system featuring prominently. Recent studies have brought forth hypotheses linking microbiome and infectious diseases. Using a combination of fieldwork, epidemiological data collection, molecular biology and bioinformatic analyses, this research project will investigate the gut microbiome and identify specific eukaryotic pathogens as well as the interplay of the latter two in dairy cattle and humans living in Cyprus. This research contributes towards establishing a baseline of Cypriot cattle gut microbiome, examining associations of microbiome with infectious disease agents and elucidating transmission dynamics of pathogens. More specifically, the objectives of the project are as follows:
- Establish a baseline of the composition of the gut microbiome in cattle from representative Cypriot farms
- Investigate associations between the microbiome and parasitic infections under One Health.
- Explore the risks of potential zoonotic transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant microbes.
- Investigate the interplay of gut microbiota, use of antibiotics and milk production in dairy cattle.
Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):
- Dr Eleni Gentekaki
Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:
- Dr Eleni Gentekaki
- Dr Danny Allon-Ellenbogen
- Dr Daphne Mavrides
- Dr Annalisa Quattrocchi
**Other Researcher(s) Participating in the Project:
- Dr Anastasios Tsaousis
Other Participating Institution(s):
- University of Kent
Research Project Acronym: 1HEALTH-GUTBIOME
Funding Institution: University of Nicosia Medical School
Research Project Status: Ongoing
Start and End Dates: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2026