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IMPACTT Newsletter | December 2020
Snowy-tree-warm-wishes
Dear Dr. reader,
This past year has been challenging, nevertheless, the microbiome research community keeps on making significant breakthroughs to advance the field. Below is some recent news, notably (!! spoiler) the launch of our 2021-2022 mentorship program.

We would like to end this 2020 chapter with a message of gratefulness to everyone for working together and helping to protect each other. And also welcome this new year of 2021 with hopefulness with the arrival of new vaccines that offer the perspective to be re-united in-person sometimes and cheer with our favourite beverage!
As a closure for this year, here are some tips for New Year’s resolution for 2021: Focus on getting to the end of COVID-19 from Dr. Katherine Arbuthnott, Professor of Psychology, University of Regina, published in Conversation Canada on Dec. 2020.
Wish you all a happy reading and End of 2020!

Meet our experts

Portrait-pictures-all-leads
Every month one expert shares their journey, views and experiences throughout their career but also some more personal details such as their hidden talent, nerdy childhood memory, etc. Find their interviews, here. 2021 is promising more!

Its official, we launched it!
Mentorship-program-2021-2022
Our program has officially launched its 2021-2022 mentorship program aiming to support emerging microbiome researchers across Canada. More details here.

Translational research
The potential role of vitamin D supplementation as a gut microbiota modifier in healthy individuals. Singh P., et al. Sci Rep. Dec. 2020.
Spatial heterogeneity of bacterial colonization across different gut segments following inter-species microbiota transplantation. Li N, et al. Microbiome. Nov. 2020. A pilot study to answer the question of whether "whole-intestinal microbiota transplantation (WIMT), comprising jejunal, ileal, cecal, and colonic microbiota, would be more effective for reshaping the entire intestinal microbiota than conventional fecal microbiota transplantation fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)."

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand production by the gut microbiota is decreased in celiac disease leading to intestinal inflammation.
Dr. Lamas, et al. Science Translational Medicine. Oct. 2020. New prospects for the treatment of gluten intolerance thanks to the intestinal microbiota - A Promising findings from this Euro-Canadian collaboration. See also the press release.
Circadian influence on the microbiome improves heart failure outcomes. Mistry P, et al. J Mol Cell Cardiol. Sept. 2020. See in CBC news.

SARS-CoV-2 and our microbiome
Statistical power in COVID-19 case-control host genomic study design. Lin Y-C, et al. Genome Med. Dec. 2020. This study aims to "aid in the interpretation of genetic findings emerging in the literature and guide the design of future host genetic studies".
Utilizing microbiome approaches to assist source tracking, treatment and prevention of COVID-19: Review and assessment. Han M., et al. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. Nov. 2020.

The power of Intravital Microscopy

PD-L1 is overexpressed in liver macrophages in chronic liver diseases and its blockade improves the antibacterial activity against infections. Pose E, et al. Hepatology. Nov. 2020.
Imaging of the Intestinal Microcirculation during Acute and Chronic Inflammation. (Review) Dickson K, Malitan H, Lehmann C. Biology (Basel). Nov. 2020.

The fight against multi-resistant microorganisms
A marine microbiome antifungal targets urgent-threat drug-resistant fungi. Zhang F., et al. Science. Nov. 2020. Nature holds answers against AMR & "exploring new ecosystems & screen thousands of candidates to identify effective antimicrobial candidates" can be laborious but rewarding!
The Super-Wicked Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance.
Littmann J., Viens A. M., Silva D. S. In: Jamrozik E., Selgelid M. (eds) Ethics and Drug Resistance: Collective Responsibility for Global Public Health. Public Health Ethics Analysis, vol 5. Springer, Cham. An insightful read about the challenges of AMR and Ethics and their inherent complexity.

A space'ial end of the year for a special year
What a better way than finishing the year with our head up as a symbol of hopefulness?
Seeding the Solar System with Life: Earth, Venus, Mars, Moon, Protoplanets.
R Joseph, et al. Journal of Cosmology, Vol 29.Oct. 2020.
How extremophilic bacteria survive in space for one year.
Ott E, et al. Microbiome. Nov. 2020. Discover the molecular repertoire of Deinococcus radiodurans after 1 year of exposure outside the International Space Station within the Tanpopo mission.
How will scientists protect Earth from extraterrestrial germs?
Renner R. National Geographic. Dec. 2020.

Events to come
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A refreshing launch with a light note, check it out!
Having IMPACTT: Microbiome Symposium June 14-15, 2021
Stay informed by registering to our list for updates, we promise only updates!
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We will spread the News!
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