Research
The Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS) seeks to accelerate research to unravel how microbes underpin health and disease.
The importance of mutually beneficial host-microbiota interactions is highlighted by recent studies linking imbalances in the microbiota to a diverse set of chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), cancer, obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, allergy, and neurological disorders. However, the precise mechanisms that causally link members of the microbiota to disease processes are still largely unknown.
To address this knowledge gap and improve accessibility of microbiome science to the community, the OCMS combines state-of-the-art facilities with expertise across diverse disciplines including computational biology, gnotobiotics, immunology and advanced microbial cultivation.
Partners
SWDSP Crosstalk between the immune system and microbiota in host defense |
Kennedy Institute Microbiome and immune senescence |
NDM Jenner Institute-the influence of the microbiota on vaccine strategies |
WIMM Oxford Haematology Centre - the microbiome in hematological disease |
NDM Ludwig Institute Microbiome in cancer |
Oncology Oxford Cancer Centre-the microbiome in cancer therapy, Oncology |
WIMM Intestinal epithelial cell microbiota interactions in IBD |
NDM Human Immune Discovery Initiative (HIDI)- The microbiome in infectious and inflammatory disease |
KIR, NDORMS Role of the microbiome in sterile tissue injury in the joint and on cartilage regeneration and pain in osteoarthritis |
WTCHG Role of the microbiome and metabolome in Type 1 diabetes |
Psychiatry Analysis of the microbiome in neurodegeneration |
Psychiatry Influence of the microbiota on neurobiology and the brain
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Kevin Foster
Zoology Ecology of the microbiome, community dynamics in response to environmental or infectious perturbations |
Zoology Comparative immunology, mucosal immunology, comparative biology of immune- microbiome crosstalk in vertebrates
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School of Geography and the Environment Influence of the environment and lifestyle on the microbiome and health
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