Conception, gestation, and lactation are critical periodsfor human development. The exposure to unhealthy dietary patterns, excessweight gain and other environmental factors results in a higher risk ofpregnancy complications affecting both mothers and infants. The microbiotamediates many risks and that in some circumstances, its manipulation might havea protective effect. The direct microbiota–host interactions and microbiotafunctionality warrant further research, especially in different environmental(diet) and disease (gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM) contexts.
Study Aim
To deeply characterize the maternal microbial and functionalprofiles during pregnancy using diverse cohorts in Mediterranean area andrelate them with maternal diet composition, maternal-neonatal clinical data andneonatal health outcomes, and to identify the impact of external factors,specifically diet, on the maternal microbiomes during pregnancy, with a focuson GDM.
Scientific Approach
By leveraging different human observational and longitudinalcohorts, multidisciplinary approach to identify nutritional guidance and keybiomarkers that support positive interactions between microbes, perinatalfactors, and the host response during pregnancy.
Expected Outcomes
This proposal’s outcomes will serve to highlightevidence-based directions for future health programming, like GDMinterventions, that enable new applications in relation to personalizednutrition and medicine intended to enhance women’s and children’s health.
