Host Genetics Shapes Gut Microbiome Diversity
Our latest paper in mBio demonstrates that host genetic variation significantly influences gut microbiome composition, with implications for understanding host-microbe coevolution.
Key Findings
Using two genetically divergent stickleback populations maintained in identical laboratory conditions, we found:
- Host genotype effects: Specific genetic variants associated with microbiome composition
- High individual variation: Even siblings showed substantial microbiome differences
- Core microbiome: Certain microbial taxa consistently associated with host genotype
Technical Innovation
The study also established highly reproducible methods for 16S sequencing in fish, addressing a critical need for standardization in microbiome research. Our two-tiered approach achieves >95% reproducibility for abundant taxa.
Broader Impacts
This work contributes to understanding: - How host evolution shapes associated microbial communities - The heritability of microbiome traits - Potential for microbiome-based therapies
Publication: Small CM, Beck EA, Currey MC, Tavalire HF, Bassham S, Cresko WA (2023). Host genomic variation shapes gut microbiome diversity in threespine stickleback fish. mBio e0021923.