Project properties
Title Inquiry into the effects of organic acids on probiotic occurance inside the pig gut
Group Systems and Synthetic Biology
Project type thesis
Credits 36
Supervisor(s) Mike Loomans, Jasper Koehorst
Examiner(s) Dr Jasper Koehorst; Dr Rob Smith
Contact info robert1.smith@wur.nl
Begin date 2025/01/28
End date
Description It is difficult to ascertain when a microbiome is robust enough to prevent infection with pathogenic organisms that introduce post weaning disorder (PWD) and to what degree it can persevere in an environment infected with ETEC. Extensive investigation into the characteristics of a resilient microbiome is crucial to identifying effective strategies for managing PWD.

A key area of research is beneficial bacteria including Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Fusobacterium, Roseburia, and Clostridium that contribute to the pig guts’ overall health by aiding in digestion, modulating the immune system, and maintaining microbial balance(1). Promoting growth of these bacteria is evident and most of these organisms are characterised by a relatively low optimal pH of around 5. Pathogenic bacteria in the pig gut are generally classified as having a relatively high optimal pH around 7, by using organic acids in feed we lower the pH within the pig gut which allows probiotic bacteria to strive. We have not solved the PWD epidemic yet so the use of organic acids is not a catch all solution, what combination of bacterial pathways and outside factors influence the effectiveness of PWD treatment is an open question. To aid in your search for answering these questions we have an pig gut microbiome samples containing various environmental measurements as well as sequencing samples (16s, and Shotgun).

References related to project:
1: Vasquez R, Oh JK, Song JH, Kang DK. Gut microbiome-produced metabolites in pigs: a review on their biological functions and the influence of probiotics. J Anim Sci Technol. 2022 Jul;64(4):671-695. doi: 10.5187/jast.2022.e58. Epub 2022 Jul 31. PMID: 35969697; PMCID: PMC9353353.

Used skills
Requirements Beginner level Python, Java or similar programming knowledge.