The secret world within us holds clues to one of medicine's biggest puzzles.
ICAMBBE 2018 Conference | Malang, Indonesia
Imagine an entire ecosystem teeming with trillions of microorganisms living inside your body, influencing everything from your digestion to your disease risk. This is the gut microbiome, and in 2018, at the 5th International Conference on Advanced Molecular Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering (ICAMBBE), researchers unveiled startling discoveries about how this hidden organ communicates with our bodies.
The conference, held in Malang, Indonesia on September 3-4, 2018, featured groundbreaking research that's reshaping our understanding of the microscopic world within us and its profound impact on health and disease .
The human gut microbiome represents a complex community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that coexist in our digestive tract. These microscopic inhabitants are far from passive passengers—they actively participate in numerous bodily functions, including nutrient extraction, immune system regulation, and even the production of key molecules that influence our overall health.
Composition of a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Recent research has revealed that the composition of this internal ecosystem can vary dramatically between healthy individuals and those with various diseases. The 5th ICAMBBE conference served as a crucial platform where scientists shared findings on how specific changes in our microbial inhabitants might contribute to disease development, potentially opening new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
Among the significant presentations at ICAMBBE 2018 was a case-control study that examined the relationship between gut microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC), offering new insights into how microbial changes might influence cancer development .
Study Participants
Healthy Comparison Group
Genetic Analysis Method
Gas Chromatography
The research team employed a meticulous approach to uncover differences between the gut environments of healthy individuals and colorectal cancer patients:
The study included fourteen colorectal cancer patients and fourteen non-CRC control subjects for comparison .
Researchers collected stool samples from all participants, which served as windows into the gut microbial environment .
Using 16S rRNA gene denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), the team created genetic fingerprints of the bacterial communities present in each sample. This technique helps separate DNA sequences based on their melting points, allowing researchers to visualize the diversity of bacterial species .
The concentrations of three key SCFAs—acetate, propionate, and butyrate—were quantified using gas chromatography, a precise method for separating and analyzing compounds that can vaporize without decomposing .
The findings revealed striking differences between the gut environments of healthy subjects and those with colorectal cancer:
Comparison between CRC patients and healthy controls
PCR-DGGE analysis results
| Short-Chain Fatty Acid | CRC Patients (μg/mL) | Non-CRC Subjects (μg/mL) | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetate | 8.55 | Higher than CRC patients | Not specified |
| Propionate | 5.61 | Higher than CRC patients | Significant (p < 0.05) |
| Butyrate | 3.79 | Higher than CRC patients | Significant (p < 0.05) |
| Bacterial Group | Status in CRC Patients | Potential Health Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Bifidobacterium | Significantly decreased | Loss of potential protective benefits |
| Other beneficial bacteria | Altered diversity patterns | Possible disruption of gut ecosystem balance |
The PCR-DGGE analysis yielded a particularly dramatic finding: "dominant band from Bifidobacterium groups vanished in all subjects with colorectal cancer" compared to non-CRC subjects . This complete disappearance of certain Bifidobacterium strains in cancer patients suggests these microbes may play a protective role in colorectal health.
Similarly consequential were the reductions in all three measured SCFAs, with propionate and butyrate decreases being statistically significant. These fatty acids serve as crucial communication molecules between gut bacteria and our colon cells, with butyrate in particular being the primary energy source for colon cells and having known anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
To conduct such sophisticated microbiome research, scientists rely on specialized reagents and materials:
| Research Reagent | Function in Experiment |
|---|---|
| 16S rRNA Primers | Target and amplify specific bacterial gene sequences for identification and diversity analysis |
| Denaturing Gradient Gels | Separate DNA fragments of similar length but different sequences, creating microbial community fingerprints |
| Gas Chromatography Columns | Precisely separate and quantify short-chain fatty acid concentrations in complex biological samples |
| Stabilization Buffers | Preserve microbial DNA and metabolites in stool samples between collection and analysis to prevent degradation |
| Reference Standards | Provide known concentrations of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate) to calibrate instruments and ensure accurate quantification |
The dramatic disappearance of Bifidobacterium in colorectal cancer patients suggests these microbes could serve as potential biomarkers for early cancer detection.
The significant reduction in protective short-chain fatty acids points to possible therapeutic targets—perhaps future treatments could involve restoring these beneficial compounds or the bacteria that produce them.
This research aligns with broader movements in biomedical science toward more integrated approaches to disease understanding and treatment. As noted at another 2018 scientific conference, there is growing recognition of the need for "convergent engagement" in biomarker development—bringing together diverse specialties to look beyond simple lesion counting toward comprehensive disease characterization 4 .
The ultimate goal of such research is a shift toward more patient-centric approaches that ask, "What can we do with our expertise to help patients?" 4 In the case of gut microbiome research, this might eventually translate to personalized probiotic therapies, dietary recommendations based on an individual's microbial makeup, or early warning systems for disease risk based on microbial changes.
The investigations presented at the 5th ICAMBBE conference represent more than isolated findings—they signal a fundamental shift in how we understand human health. Our gut microbiome functions as a virtual organ, constantly communicating with our body through chemical signals like short-chain fatty acids. When this communication breaks down, disease may follow.
As research continues to decode the complex language of our microbial inhabitants, we move closer to a future where medicine can harness this knowledge for earlier disease detection and more targeted treatments. The hidden world within us, once terra incognita, is gradually revealing its secrets—and promising to revolutionize healthcare in the process.