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Food Institutional Research Measure Food For Health Research Initiative
(FHRI)
Final Report
ELDERMET: Gut Microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional health in elderly Irish
subjects
DAFM Project Ref No: 07/FHRI/UCC/3
Start date: 30/12/07
End date: 31/12/13 (this date includes a 12 month no-cost extension)
Principal Coordinator: Prof Paul O’ Toole, University College Cork Email: [email protected]
Other Principle Collaborating Researchers: Prof Ted Dinan, University College Cork
Prof Gerald Fitzgerald, University College Cork
Dr Tony Fitzgerald, University College Cork
Prof Colin Hill, University College Cork
Dr Julian Marchesi, University College Cork (now University of Cardiff)
Dr Denis O’ Mahony, University College Cork
Prof Paul Ross, Moorepark Food Research Centre (now University College Cork)
Prof Fergus Shanahan, University College Cork
Prof Catherine Stanton, Moorepark Food Research Centre
Prof Douwe van Sinderen, University College Cork
Please tick below the appropriate area on the research continuum where you feel this
project fits
BASIC/FUNDMENTAL APPLIED/PRE COMMERCIAL
x
Key words: (max 4) Elderly, health, diet, microbiota.
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1. Rationale for Undertaking the Research
This section should outline the rationale for carrying out the research and identify the need / problem to be addressed It is over one hundred years ago since the Ukrainian scientist Elie Metchnikoff made the
first link between gut microbiota and healthy ageing. Metchnikoff suggested that lactic-
acid bacteria could increase longevity and counteract noxious microbes in the gut. The
bacteria present in the gut make an important contribution to net metabolic
transformations executed in the gut and to a diverse range of health-related activities
such as immune and cognitive function. There is an increasing body of evidence linking
alterations in the human gut microbiota with a wide range of human syndromes including
Type 2 diabetes, obesity, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. At
the outset of this study, previous culture-based studies had indicated that the gut
microbiota of older people was different from that of younger adults, but the differences
reported were inconsistent. A number of factors including medication, disease, ageing and
diet have been reported to affect the gut microbiota composition.The changing pattern of
the gut microbiota in elderly subjects may be linked to host changes such as
immunosenescence, increased susceptibility to disease, and potentially systemic effects.
The composition of the gut microbiota may be modulated by dietary intervention or
supplementation. The aims of ELDERMET were to:
1. Determine the baseline composition of the gut microbiota of elderly volunteers in
the Irish population, using state-of-the-art molecular techniques using a
combination of molecular (culture-independent) methodologies including next-
generation 454 pyrosequencing and Shotgun sequencing technology.
2. Identify correlations between microbiota diversity and composition and a range of
health and lifestyle indices with cross referencing of the data with food intake to
establish the influence of diet on microbiota and health. As a result dietary
components such as prebiotics would be investigated (in future projects) for their
ability to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota with potential to improve
the health in an elderly population.
3. Develop recommendations for specific dietary ingredients, foodstuffs, functional
foods and/or dietary supplements that would improve the health of elderly
consumers.
4. Provide evidence-based recommendations for prospective studies to determine the
molecular mechanisms for health improvements promoted by specific food
ingredients that modulate components of the microbiota
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2. Research Approach
Specify the research methodologies employed, emphasising novel techniques and also outline any modifications from the original approved project proposal
The timely recruitment of 500 elderly individuals and subsequent collection of biological
samples and health, dietary and lifestyle measurements was fundamental to the project.
This was conducted from a cross-section of the population including: Community-dwelling,
Hospitalised: Long stay institutionalised care, C. difficile positive and newly diagnosed
colorectal cancer patients. As the target number of subjects for the C. difficile stratum
could not be reached due to hospital vigilance, over-recruitment to other strata was
required to ensure the overall study population was achieved.
It was essential to establish robust bioinformatics and biostatistical analytical platforms
to handle integrate and process the ELDERMET sequencing, clinical and dietary
information datasets in order to identify correlations between the different various
components. The development of a data storage, retrieval and filtering database system
(MetaSiGHT) within the project allowed for greater ease and more rapid data analysis. Metaphore, a system developed in-house facilitated a full investigation of the shotgun
metagenomic data. The complex datasets involved in the project has led to improved novel
methodologies to process such information.
Determination of the the composition of the gut microbiota of 500 elderly Irish subjects
was carried out using state-of-the-art pyrosequencing of 16s rRNA amplicon libraries.
Traditional culture methods were used to carry out microbial analysis and determine the
temporal stability and variation of gut bacteria with the elderly population. Isolation of
faceal cultures of human origin was carried out to establish a bio-bank. The prevalence of
C. difficile within the population also determined.
Shotgun sequencing of faecally-derived bacterial DNA was carried out to provide
additional compositional and phylogenetic analysis as well as in depth functional analysis of
the ELDERMET samples. This data was critical to formulate hypotheses of mechanisms
potentially involved in health modulation.
Metabolomic analysis was carried out on a range of samples from the study population
including plasma and fecal water using NMR and the latest MS technology. This has led to
the generation of metabolic profiles and quantification of metabolites. Comparative
analysis of this data with the metagenomic and microbiota datasets has given further
insight into the links between the microbiota, diet and health in an elderly population.
3. Research Achievements
Outline results achieved Biological (blood, urine and fecal) samples have been collected and banked from over 500
human elderly subjects representative of the Irish population. Samples from the
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ELDERMET subjects have been analysed using traditional microbiological culture
techniques. A bank of frozen cultures of over 6000 bifidobacteria and lactobacillus
isolates has been successfully established from all samples collected. These samples
constitute an invaluable bank of live intestinal isolates for further analysis and future
research.
Composition and health/lifestyle index co-clustering for baseline measurements in the
ELDERMET population has been achieved. Biostatistical analysis of all subject data,
including microbiota (compositional, temporal and functional analysis), has identified new
linkages between microbiota and health/lifestyle
The significant challenges presented by the complex nature of ELDERMET datasets has
led to the development of novel data analysis methodologies which can be further applied
to future data sets beyond the current project, and that have facilitated participation in
two EU projects. The established platforms have the capacity to analyse larger and more
complex data sets going forward.
ELDERMET has continued to disseminate information and interact with stakeholder for
the duration of the project. This is evident from the large number of activities which have
occurred throughout the project including a paper in Nature, invitations to speak at
international conferences and increased media attention. The ELDERMET brand will
continue to publicize and share its findings to stakeholders to ultimately benefit the
elderly population.
4. Impact of the Research
Provide a summary of outcomes of research and outline the benefits of the research to end users, e.g. industry, consumers, regulatory authorities, and scientific community etc
The samples collected in ELDERMET have generated important information regarding the
health status of an Irish elderly population. The links between microbiota, diet and health
have already been communicated to the food industry and now serve as a basis for the
development of new products or ingredients which can influence/modulate gut microbiota
that could specifically benefit the elderly population. These findings are also important to
the health sector and should lead to improvements in the diets given to elderly
patients/residents in care.
The data generated has and will continue to impact research into factors which influence
healthy ageing. Although funding for the project from DAFM has now ceased, the
established ELDERMET brand will continue to capture further funding and to expand its
database by recruiting further subjects to enhance the findings and what has been
achieved during this period of funding.
The ELDERMET database is an invaluable resource that can be further expanded on and
incorporated into future research projects leading to further associations between
microbiota, diet and health being identified. The data analysis methodologies developed
and established within the project have the capacity to analyse larger and more complex
data sets going forward.
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ELDERMET is now established as a recognised brand in the area of healthy ageing which
will continue to expand beyond this funding period. Dissemination of the project findings
has and will continue to influence this area of research at both the industrial and academic
level. The ELDERMET profile has already leveraged further research funding and led to
the development of new collaborations and this is expected to continue. The profile of the
project members have been enhanced through the host of dissemination activities arising
from the project in particular through the publications and invited presentations. The lead
investigator has recently been appointed to the Science Advisory Board to the JPI: A
Healthy Diet for A Healthy Life thus highlighting the caliber and relevance of the
research. It also must be acknowledged that a number of the ELDERMET research team
have gone on to secure permanent positions both in academia and industry.
We recognize the importance of continuing to communicate ELDERMET research outputs
to a wide audience (from policy makers, healthcare providers through to the general
public, especially but not exclusively the elderly) to promote its overarching message that
diet and microbiota can influence healthy ageing.
5. Exploitation of the Research
Outline the outcomes of the research that have commercial or economic importance and provide details of Intellectual Property / licences / patents generated. Details of outputs adopted by industry should also be provided
We have established in vitro, in vivo and animal models to further investigate the links
between the microbiota and diet and health and the effect of dietary ingredients on
modulating the gut microbiota. This will increase our knowledge and understanding of the
complex interaction that occurs while also identifying particular bacteria and food
ingredients that are positively influence our health.
ELDERMET outcomes have been disseminated to 23 industrial organizations in the food
and pharma sectors. This has led to a number of collaborative projects with a view to
developing novel food products specifically targeting the microbiota towards improving
health.
The existing ELDERMET database and bio-bank continues to expand and this offers huge
potential for further collaborations in with the food and pharma sector. The vast bank of
cultures could offer new probiotics and or therapeutic medicines. Further mining of the
datasets could identify biomarkers related to disease and health and lead to novel
diagnostic.
Opportunities to exploit the research arising from ELDERMET is ongoing. The research
continues build on the existing knowledge and leverage funds from various sources. The
principal investigators were main applicants in the successful bid to secure a third round
of funding for the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre. Further funding to carry out
associated research has also been granted by DAFM including ELDERFOOD and
EXERCISEMET. Because of DAFM-FHRI funding, ELDERMET PIs were also of sufficient
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international profile to be inclided as partners in a number of related FP7 projects
including: NU-AGE, Fibebiotics and MyNewGut which include industrial partners. It is
hoped to continue to leverage further funding and exploit the project outcomes through
the current EU framework, Horizon 2020 and ELDERMET PIs are involved in a number of
consortia submitting to various call. Prof Catherine Stanton is currently co-ordinating a
proposal on ‘Tackling Malnutrition in the Elderly’ which will be submitted in 2015. The
consortia includes partners from academia and industry and the EU and non-EU countries.
6. Summary of Research Outputs
(a) Intellectual Property applications/licences/patents
None to date
(b) Innovations adopted by industry
We have collaborations arising out of ELDERMET with Kerry; Lakelands Dairies,
General Mills. We also have on-going discussions with Nutricia; Bioatlantis. The
ELDERMET leading PI is in discussion with UCC about establishing a start-up
campus company in the microbiome area. He has also held preliminary discussions
with Enterprise Ireland regarding a Commercial Feasibility study leading to a
Commercialization Fund application, potentially leading to a second start-up
company. Additionally Prof.’s Ross and Hill started a campus spinout company
PhageWorks that draws upon know-how developed in ELDERMET.
(c) Number of companies in receipt of information
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(d) Outcomes with economic potential
1. The links between microbiota, diet and health will inform the food industry and
serve as a basis to the development of new products or ingredients which can
influence/modulate gut microbiota.
2. The biobank established in ELDERMET is of interest to the food, medical and
pharmaceutical industries in particular the culture collection of isolates which have the
potential as probiotics or therapeutic product development targeting the elderly and
disease.
3. Ongoing mining of the ELDERMET data has the potential to identify novel
biomarkers of health and disease which is could lead to the development of new
diagnostics for early detection and prevention and treatment strategies.
4. Recommendations and guidelines resulting from ELDERMET will lead to elderly
consumers making improved food choices to maintain a healthier life which has an economic
impact on healthcare services.
(e) Outcomes with national/ policy/social/environmental potential
1. Ireland similar to every other country is experiencing an increased unsustainable
burden on healthcare systems due to its ageing population. ELDERMET findings highlight
the importance of diet in maintaining health and aims to provide recommendations to policy
makers and health service authorities to promote a healthy diet for a healthy life.
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2. The dissemination of ELDERMET to the public in particular the elderly population is
expected to have a positive societal impact by influencing the food we eat which helps
promotes healthy ageing. This leads to more active seniors living, working, volunteering and
contributing in the community.
(f) Peer-reviewed publications, International Journal/Book chapters.
1. Ventura, M., Turroni, F., Canchaya, C., Vaughan, E., O’Toole, P.W. and D. van
Sinderen. 2009. Microbial diversity in the human intestine: benefits of a
metagenomics approach. Frontiers in Bioscience 14: 214-221
2. O’Toole, P.W. and J.C. Cooney. 2009. The influence of probiotics on the intestinal
microbiota. In The Human Microbiome and Infectious Diseases: Beyond Koch. V.B.
Young, and R.A. Britton, ed.’s. Interdisc. Perspect. Inf. Dis.
doi:10.1155/2008/175285
3. Ventura, M., F. Turroni, S. O’Flaherty, M.J. Claesson, T.R. Klaenhammer, D. van
Sinderen, and P.W. O’Toole. 2009. Genome-scale analyses of health-promoting
bacteria: probiogenomics. Nature Reviews Microbiology 7: 61-71. 4. Turroni F., Marchesi JR., Foroni E., Gueimonde M., Shanahan F., Margolles A., van
Sinderen D., Ventura M. 2009 Microbiomic analysis of the bifidobacterial population
in the human distal gut. The ISME Journal, 3(6): 745-51
5. Turroni F., Foroni E., Pizzetti P., Giubellini V., Ribbera A., Merusi P., Cagnasso P.,
Bizzarri B., de'Angelis GL., Shanahan F., van Sinderen D., Ventura M. 2009.
Exploring the diversity of the bifidobacterial population in the human intestinal
tract. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75(6): 1,534 - 45.
6. Claesson, M.J., O. O’Sullivan , Q. Wang , J. Nikkilä, J.R. Marchesi, H. Smidt, W. M.
de Vos, R. P. Ross, and P. W. O’Toole. 2009. Comparative Analysis of Pyrosequencing
and a Phylogenetic Microarray for Exploring Microbial Community Structures in the
Human Distal Intestine. PLoS One. 4(8): e6669
7. O’Toole PW & Claesson MJ. (2010). Gut Microbiota: Changes Throughout the
Lifespan from Infancy to Elderly. International Dairy Journal. 20: 281-291.
8. Claesson MJ Cusack S, O'Sullivan O, Greene-Diniz R, de Weerd H, Flannery E,
Marchesi JR, Falush D, Dinan T, Fitzgerald G, Stanton C, van Sinderen D, O'Connor
M, Harnedy N, O'Connor K, Henry C, O'Mahony D, Fitzgerald AP, Shanahan F,
Twomey C, Hill C, Ross RP, O'Toole PW (2010). Composition, variability and temporal
stability of the intestinal microbiota of the elderly. PNAS 2010. Published online
before print June 22, 2010, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1000097107
9. O'Toole PW and Claesson, MJ (2010). Gut Microbiota: Changes Throughout the
Lifespan, from Infancy to Elderly. International Dairy Journal. (2010) 20; 281 –
291.
10. O’Toole PW, Snelling WJ, Canchaya C, Forde BM, Hardie KR, Josenhans C, Graham
RLj, McMullan G, Parkhill J, Belda E, Bentley SD. (2010). Comparative genomics and
proteomics of Helicobacter mustelae, an ulcerogenic and carcinogenic gastric
pathogen. BMC genomics 11: 164.
11. Thornton, RF, Kagawa TF, O'Toole PW, Cooney JC. (2010). The dissemination of C10
cysteine protease genes in Bacteroides fragilis species by mobile genetic elements.
BMC Microbiol. 10: 122.
12. Claesson Wang Q, O'Sullivan O, Greene-Diniz R, Cole JR, Ross RP, O'Toole PW
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(2010). Comparison of Two Next-generation Sequencing Technologies for Resolving
Highly Complex Microbiota Composition Using Tandem Variable 16S rRNA Gene
Regions: The ELDERMET project. Nucleic Acids Research 38 (22):e200. doi:
10.1093/nar/gkq873
13. Claesson MJ, O'Sullivan O, Wang Q, Nikkilä J, Marchesi JR, Smidt H, de Vos WM,
Ross RP, O'Toole PW (2009) 'Comparative analysis of pyrosequencing and a
phylogenetic microarray for exploring microbial community structures in the human
distal intestine'. Plos One (8): e6669. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006669
14. Cusack S & O'Toole PW (2010). "The human intestinal microbota, diet and health. From infancy to old age". AgroFood Industry hi-tech - September/October 2010.
Volume 21, No. 5.
15. Cusack S, Claesson MJ & O'Toole PW (2010). "How beneficial is the use of probiotic supplements for the aging gut?" Future Medicine - Aging Health. 7(2),
179-186.
16. Caly, D.L., P.W. O’Toole, and S.A. Moore (2010). The 2.2 Å resolution structure of
the HP0958 protein from Helicobacter pylori reveals a kinked anti-parallel coiled-
coil domain and a highly conserved Zn-ribbon domain. J. Mol. Biol. 403: 405–419.
17. Murphy, E.F., P D Cotter, S Healy, T M Marques, O O'Sullivan, F Fouhy, S F Clarke,
P. W. O'Toole, E M Quigley, C Stanton, P R Ross, R M O'Doherty, F Shanahan.
Composition and energy harvesting capacity of the gut microbiota: relationship to
diet, obesity and time in mouse models. Gut 59: 1635-1642.
18. Flint HJ, O'Toole PW, Walker AW. 2010. Special issue: The Human Intestinal
Microbiota. Microbiology. 156: 3203-3204.
19. Shanahan F. 2010. “Gut Microbes: From Bugs to Drugs”. American Journal of
Gastroenterology 105: 275-279.
20. Claesson and O’ Toole PW (2010). Evaluating the latest high-throughput molecular
techniques for the exploration of microbial gut communities. Gut microbes (4):277-
278. 2010
21. Jeffery I.B., O’Toole P.W., Öhman L, Claesson M.J., Deane J, Quigley E.M.M.,
Simrén M. An Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtype defined by species-specific
alterations in faecal microbiota. Gut. Published online before print Dec 16, 2011
doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301501.
22. Marchesi JR (2011). Human distal gut microbiome. Environ. Microbiol. 13(12): 3088-
102.
23. Riboulet-Bisson E, Sturme M.H.J, Jeffery I.B, O’Donnell M.M, Neville B.A, Forde
B.A, Claesson M.J, Gardiner G.E, Casey P.G, Lawlor P.G, Ross R.P, O’Toole P.W.
Effect of the Lactobacillus salivarius Bacteriocin Abp118 on the mouse and pig
intestinal microbiota. PLoS ONE 2012;7(2):e31113. doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0031113.
24. O'Sullivan Ó, Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, Claesson MJ, Stanton C, O'Toole PW,
Ross RP; ELDERMET consortium (http://eldermet.ucc.ie). Correlation of rRNA gene
amplicon pyrosequencing and bacterial culture for microbial compositional analysis
of faecal samples from elderly Irish subjects. J Appl Microbiol. 2011 Aug;
111(2):467-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05067
25. Jeffery, I.B., O’Toole P.W., Öhman L, Claesson M.J., Deane J, Quigley E.M.M.,
Simrén M. 2012. An Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtype defined by species-specific
alterations in faecal microbiota. Gut 61:997-1006.
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26. Rea, M., O'Sullivan O, Shanahan F, O'Toole P.W., Stanton C, Ross R.P., Hill C. 2012.
Clostridium difficile carriage in elderly subjects and associated changes in the
intestinal microbiota. J. Clin. Micro. 50:867-75.
27. Claesson M.J., Jeffery I.B, Conde S, Power S.E., O’Connor E.M., Cusack S, Harris H,
Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, O’Sullivan O, Fitzgerald G.F., Deane J, O’Connor M,
Harnedy N, O’Connor K, O’Mahony D, van Sinderen D, Wallace M, Brennan L, Stanton
C, Marchesi J.R., Fitzgerald A.P., Shanahan F, Hill C, Ross R.P., O’Toole P.W. 2012.
Gut microbiota composition correlates with diet and health in the elderly. Nature
488: 178-184.
28. Jeffery I.B., O’Toole P.W. 2013 Diet-microbiota interactions and their implications
for healthy living. Nutrients Special Issue ‘Gut Microbiota and Gut Function’, Jan
17;5(1):234-52. doi: 10.3390/nu5010234.
29. Jeffery I.B., Claesson, M.J., O’Toole, P.W., Shanahan, F. Categorization of the gut
microbiota: enterotypes or gradients? Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 10, 591–592 (2012).
30. Cusack S., Rose Day M., Wills, T. & Coffey, A. 2012. Older people and laxative use:
comparison between community and long term care settings. British Journal of
Community Nursing. 21: 711-4
31. Borrel, G., Harris H.M.B., Tottey W, Mihajlovski A, Parisot N, Peyretaillade E,
Peyret P, O'Toole P.W., Brugère J-F. 2012. Genome sequence of “candidatus
Methanomethylophilus alvus” Mx1201, a methanogenic archaea from the human gut
belonging to a seventh order of methanogens. J. Bacteriology 94:6944.
32. Fraher, M.H., O’Toole P.W., Quigley E. 2012. Techniques used to characterize the
gut microbiota: a guide for the clinician. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology
Hepatology 27;9(6):312-22
33. O’Toole, P.W. 2012. Changes in the intestinal microbiota from adulthood through to
old age. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 18 Suppl 4: 44-46.
34. Cusack, S. and O’Toole P.W. 2012. Challenges and Implications for Biomedical
Research and Intervention Studies in Older Populations: Insights from the
ELDERMET Study. Gerontology, doi: 10.1159/000343158
35. Jeffery, I.B., Claesson M.J., O’Toole P.W. 2012. Intestinal Microbiota, Alterations
in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Human Metagenomics Volume III in Encyclopedia of
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Verlag Berlin Heidelberg,Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 0. DOI:
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in the Irish elderly through an improved understanding of intestinal bacteria.
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39. O'Connor, EM. (2013). The role of gut microbiota in nutritional status. Curr Opin
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S., Fitzgerald, A.P., O'Toole, P.W., Stanton, C. and R.P. Ross. (2013) Alterations in
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Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 68(1):214-221.
41. Lakshminarayanan, B., Guinane, C.M., O’Connor, P.M., Coakley, M., Hill, C., Stanton, C.,
O’Toole, P.W. and R.P. Ross. (2013) Isolation and characterization of bacteriocin-
producing bacteria from the intestinal microbiota of elderly Irish subjects. Journal
of Applied Microbiology. 114(3):886-898.
42. Lakshminarayanan, B., Harris, H.M.B. Coakley, M., O’Sullivan, Ó, Stanton, C.,
Pruteanu, M., Shanahan, F., O’Toole P.W. and R.P. Ross. (2013) Prevalence and
characterisation of Clostridium perfringens from the faecal microbiota of elderly
Irish subjects. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 62(3): 457-466.
43. Jeffery, IB & O'Toole, PW (2013). Diet-Microbiota Interactions and Their
Implications for Healthy Living. Nutrients. 2013; 5(1):234-252.
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47. Power SE, O’Toole PW, Stanton C, Ross RP and Fitzgerald GF (2013) Intestinal
Microbiota, Diet and Health. British Journal of Nutrition DOI:
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48. Power SE, Jeffery IB, Ross RP, O’Toole PW, Stanton C, O'Connor EM and
Fitzgerald GF (2013) Food and nutrient intake of Irish community-dwelling elderly
subjects: who is at nutritional risk? J Nutr Health Aging. 2014;18(6):561-72. doi:
10.1007/s12603-014-0449-9
49. Power SE, Harris HMB, Bottacini F, Ross RP, O’Toole PW and Fitzgerald GF (2013)
Draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus crispatus EM-LC1, an isolate with
antimicrobial activity cultured from an elderly subject. Genome Announc. 2013 Dec
19;1(6). pii: e01070-13. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.01070-13
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51. Rampelli S, Candela M, Turroni S, Biagi E, Collino S, Franceschi C, O’Toole PW, and
Brigidi P (2013). Functional metagenomic profiling of intestinal microbiome in
extreme Ageing. AGING, December 2013, Vol. 5 No.12.
http://www.impactaging.com/papers/v5/n12/pdf/100623.pdf
52. Culligan EP, Sleator RD, Marchesi JR, Hill C (2013) Functional Environmental
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53. Lynch, D. B., Jeffery, I. B., Cusack, S., O’Connor, E. M., P. W. O’Toole. (2013) Diet-
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54. Neville BA, Sheridan P, Harris HMB, Coghlan S, Jeffery IB, Forde BM, et al. (2013).
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species are variably represented in the intestinal microbiome of elderly humans.
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55. Power SE, O'Connor EM, Ross RP, Stanton C, O’Toole PW, Fitzgerald GF and IB
Jeffery (2013) Dietary glycaemic load associated with cognitive performance in
elderly subjects. Eur J Nutr. 2014 Jul 18.
56. O’Connor E.M., O’Herlihy E.A., O’Toole P.W. (2014) Gut microbiota in older subjects:
variation, causes and health consequences. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.
Proc Nutr Soc. 2014 Nov;73(4):441-51. doi: 10.1017/S0029665114000597. Epub
2014 May 13
57. O’Sullivan O, Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, Conde S, Claesson M.J, Cusack S,
Fitzgerald A.P, O’Toole P.W, Stanton C, Ross R.P. Intestinal dysbiosis in older Irish
subjects receiving antibiotic therapy. (In preparation).
58. Lakshminarayanan B et al. Characterisation of Clostridium perfringens isolated from
the elderly gut on mupirocin-based selective medium (in preparation).
59. Lakshminarayanan B, Guinane C. M, O’Connor P.M, Coakley M, Stanton C, O’Toole
P.W, Ross R.P. The ELDERMET Biobank: Isolation and characterisation of anti-
microbial producing bacteria from the intestinal microbiota of elderly Irish
subjects. (In preparation).
60. Coakley M, O’Sullivan O, Lakshminarayanan B, Hogan A, Cotter P, Stanton C, O’Toole
P.W, Ross R.P. Recovery of culturable bifidobacteria from human faecal samples. (In
preparation).
61. Cusack S, O'Connor EM, O'Toole PW (2014) 'ELDERMET: Enhancing gut health in
the Irish elderly through an improved understanding of intestinal bacteria' In:
Human Metagenomics Volume III in Encyclopedia of Metagenomics. Europe:
Springer Reference Publishers (in press).
62. Lynch, D., Jeffery, I.B., Cusack, S., O’Connor, E.M., & O’Toole P.W. (2014) 'Diet-
microbiota-health Interactions in Older Subjects: Implications for Healthy Aging'
In: Systems Biology of Aging. Switzerland: Medical and Scientific Publishers (in
press).
(g) Scientific abstracts or articles including those presented at conferences
1. ElderMet: functional foods for healthy aging. Relay Research mail-out and web
article, release date July 7th 2008. (Downloaded 449 times as of July 30th, 2008).
2. O'Sullivan, O., Wall, R., Stack, H., Fitzgerald, G., Hussey, S., Ryan, C.A., Murphy,
B.P., O'Toole, P., Ross, R.P., and Stanton, C.. Genomic diversity of the enteric
microbiota of the infant. Published abstract in proceedings and invited Oral
presentation. EMBO workshop "Microbial diversity and metagenomics". Porto
Carras, Thessaloniki, Greece. 21st - 24th June 2008.
12
3. Claesson M., O’Toole P.W. BlastXtract2 - Improving the early exploration of
(meta)genomic sequences by intuitive visualisation and management. EMBO
workshop "Microbial diversity and metagenomics". Porto Carras, Thessaloniki,
Greece 21st - 24th June, 2008.
4. M. J. Claesson. GIT Metagenomics "The Irish Way". Presentation at “Statistical
methods for metagenomics 2008”, Harnack House, Berlin, Germany. July 9-11th
2008.
5. Claesson M., O’Toole P.W. BlastXtract2 - Improving the early exploration of
(meta)genomic sequences by intuitive visualisation and management. The 9th
International Conference on Systems Biology. August 22nd – 28th, 2008.
6. Claesson M., O’Toole P.W. BlastXtract2 - Improving the early exploration of
(meta)genomic sequences by intuitive visualisation and management. The 9th
Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria. August 21st -September 4th, 2008.
7. "ELDERMET – Gut Microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional health in
elderly Irish adults." 38th Annual Research Conference - Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Science Conference. University College Cork, 4th September, 2008.
8. Relay Research Update on the Food and Health Programme. FH001: ELDERMET:
Nutritional health in the elderly. 4th July, 2008.
9. O’Toole, P.W. “Functional Genomics of Commensal Lactobacilli and their Impact on
the Human Intestinal Microbiota. Division of Microbial Diseases, University College
London, Eastman Dental Institute. February 11th, 2009.
10. P. Ross. “Microbial production of bioactives – from Fermented Functional foods to
probiotic mechanisms”. The 2009 IDF/DIAA Dairy Science World Series
Conference, Melbourne, Australia – Functional Dairy Foods 2009. 24-25th Feb.
2009.
11. C. Hill. “Enteric Flora and Inflammation”. Falk Symposium, Cork, Ireland. March 6,
2009
12. P. W. O’Toole. The Light in the Intestinal Tract Tunnel. ABS - VLAG Graduate
School Course, Helsinki. March 11th – 14th, 2009.
13. C. Hill. “Probiotics as therapeutics” Society for General Microbiology Annual
Meeting, Harrogate, UK. April 1-4, 2009.
14. Relay Research Update - FHRI programme. FH001. ELDERMET: exploring the role
of diet, the gut microbiota and healthy aging April 2nd, 2009.
15. Genome British Columbia – Genomics forum: Fergus Shanahan. Mining the microbiota. Vancouver April 3rd, 2009
16. International Conference on Diverticular Disease. Royal Society of Medicine,
London April 23rd, 2009. Fergus Shanahan – Probiotics and diverticulosis.
17. C. Stanton “Development of Functional Foods based on beneficial micro-organisms
and the bioactives they produce” (Keynote Speech) 9th Annual Food Chemistry
Conference, Terceira, Azores, Portugal. May 2nd, 2009.
18. C. Twomey. "Issues in Caring for the Elderly". The Royal Society of Medicine
Regional Conference. May 21st, 2009 Cork.
19. C. Stanton. “Gut microbiota and food-grade bacteria have a regulatory influence on
the composition of host fat tissue” ISG Killarney. June 19th, 2009.
20. O’Toole, P.W. Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease. “Challenges In Clinical
Gastroenterology: An American - Irish Dialogue”. Irish Society of Gastroenterology
meeting, Killarney, June 19 2009.
13
21. The ELDERMET Consortium. Translational Health Research Conference 24th June,
2009. College of Medicine and Health. Brookfield Health Sciences Complex,
University College Cork.
22. Comparative Analysis of Pyrosequencing and a Phylogenetic Microarray for
Exploring Microbial Community Structures in the Human Distal Intestine. M.J.
Claesson, O. O’Sullivan, Q. Wang, J. Nikkilä, J.R. Marchesi, H. Smidt, W.M. de Vos,
R.P. Ross, P.W. O’Toole. FEMS 2009, Gothenburg, Sweden, June 27th-July 2nd, 2009.
23. C. Hill. “4b or not 4b; the Listeria conundrum”. 3rd FEMS Congress, Gothenburg,
Sweden. July 1st, 2009.
24. Cusack, S. “ELDERMET – Gut microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional
health in elderly Irish adults”. 39th Annual Research Conference: Food, Nutrition
and Consumer Science. September 4th, 2009.
25. Ross, P. “Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Irish Seaweeds with Applications in
Functional Foods”. Health Ingredients, Toyko Big Sight, Japan. October 14th –
16th, 2009.
26. Ross, P. “Overview of Teagasc Functional Foods Programme”. USDA, Baltimore and
Philadelphia, USA. October 19th – 23rd, 2009.
27. Claesson, M. “Ultra-high resolution of Microbial Community Structures in the
Human Distal Intestine”. Arthur M. Sackler Colloquium of the US National
Academy of Sciences, University of Calfornia, Irvine. November 2nd – 3rd, 2009.
28. O’Toole, P.W. “Gut Microbiota of Elderly Irish Subjects”. Poster and invited oral
presentation. Arthur M. Sackler Colloquium of the US National Academy of
Sciences, University of California, Irvine. November 2nd – 3rd, 2009.
29. "Ultra-high resolution of Microbial Community Structures in the Human Distal
Intestine." 22/01/2010. Virtual Institute of Bioinformatics, Dublin City
University.
30. Claesson et al. Ultra high resolution of microbial community structures in the
human distal intestine. US-Ireland Functional Foods Conference, March 9th – 11th,
2010 (pg 29).
31. Claesson et al. Ultra high resolution of microbial community structures in the
human distal intestine. INRA / Rowlett conference Aberdeen 23-25 June 2010
32. Claesson et al. Comparison of two next-generation sequencing technologies for
resolving highly complex microbiota composition using tandem variable 16S rRNA
gene regions. Molecules to Medicine Annual Research Conference. June 16th 2010
33. Cusack et al. All Ireland Gerontological Nurses Association (AIGNA). Older adults flourishing, nurses promoting active ageing' June 3rd, 2010
34. Cusack et al. Compositional analysis of the human gut microbiota in elderly Irish
subjects. Molecules to Medicine Annual Research Conference. June 16th 2010.
35. Laks et al. ELDERMET: Gut Health in the Elderly - Composition of the gut
microbiotia of elderly Irish subjects. US-Ireland Functional Foods Conference,
March 9th – 11th, 2010 (pg 41).
36. Laks et al. ELDERMET - Gut microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional
helath in elderly Irish subjects. Molecules to medicine annual research conference,
June 16th, 2010
37. O’Sullivan et al. Investigation of microbial communities in the elderly human distal
intestine using MEGAN. US-Ireland Functional Foods Conference, March 9th – 11th,
2010 (pg 51).
14
38. O’Sullivan et al. Investigation of microbial communities in the elderly human distal
intestine using MEGAN. Molecules to medicine annual research conference. Cork
June 16th 2010
39. O’Sullivan et al. Investigation of microbial communities in the elderly human distal
intestine using MEGAN. Gut microbiology conference INRA / Rowlett institute,
Aberdeen 23rd - 25th 2010
40. O'Toole et al. ELDERMET - gut microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional
health in elderly Irish subjects. (US-Ireland Functional Foods Conference, March
9th – 11th, 2010 (pg 52).
41. van Sinderen et al. Plenary lecture at 3rd International Symposium on
Propionibacterium and Bifidobacterium, Oviedo, Spain: Functional analysis of a
prototype Bifidobacterium through ‘omics’ approaches.
42. Murphy et al. The influence of age, diet and obesity on the composition and energy
harvesting capacity of the gut microbiota in two mouse models of obesity. US-
Ireland Functional Foods Conference, March 9th – 11th, 2010 (pg 46).
43. Comparison of Two next generation sequencing technologies for resolving highly
complex microbiota composition using tandem variable 16S rRNA gene regions: The
ELDERMET project. EUGMS/IGS Congress, 2010: Geriatric medicine: New
challenges, new techniques and new technologies. September 29th - October 1st,
2010.
44. "Ultra-high resolution of Microbial Community Structures in the Human Distal
Intestine." 17/09/2010. Virtual Institute of Bioinformatics, University College
Cork.
45. The Cornerstones of positive ageing - development of an information booklet.
FEASA - Newsletter of the All-Ireland Gerontological Nurses Association:
"Challenging perceptions of ageing". Issue 2, Volume 1, October 2010.
46. Examination of the composition and stability of the human gut microbiota in elderly
Irish subjects: The ELDERMET project. EUGMS/IGS Congress, 2010: Geriatric
medicine: New challenges, new techniques and new technologies. September 29th -
October 1st, 2010.
47. |Proceedings of the 39th annual research conference Food, Nutrition and Consumer
Sciences. 3rd, September 2009, UCC. "ELDERMET - gut microbiota as an indicator and agent of nutritional health in elderly Irish adults".
48. Power S.E., O’Toole P.W., O’Connor E.M., Jeffery I.B., Fitzgerald G.F. Compliance
with Irish food based dietary guidelines in community dwelling elderly subjects
(The ELDERMET project). 40th Annual UCC Food Research Conference, Cork,
Ireland, March 31st - April 1st 2011. Poster Presentation.
49. Marchesi J. "Human metagenomics in the gut" April 2011, University of Nottingham.
50. Jeffery I.B., O’Toole P.W., Öhman L, Claesson M.J., Deane J, Quigley E.M.M.,
Simrén M. Pyrosequencing reveals irritable bowel syndrome subtype defined by
species-specific alterations in the Microbial gut environment. Oral presentation.
Digestive Disease Week, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, May 7 - May 10, 2011
51. Marchesi J. "Can we implement a systems biology approach to understand the gut
microbiota?" May 2011, Birmingham University.
52. Claesson et al. Comparison of two next-generation sequencing technologies for
resolving highly complex microbiota composition using tandem variable 16S rRNA
gene regions. (poster and oral presentations). Applied Bioinformatics and Public
15
Health Microbiology Conference. 1-3 June 2011, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus,
Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
53. O'Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F., O’ Toole P.W. Gender differences in folate status
are associated with cognition in healthy Irish elderly adults. Nutrition Society
Summer Meeting with American Nutrition Society, Cork, Ireland, June 15th – 18th
2011. Poster Presentation.
54. Power S.E., O’ Toole P.W., O'Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F. Compliance with Irish food
based dietary guidelines in community dwelling elderly subjects (The ELDERMET
project). Nutrition Society Summer Meeting with American Nutrition Society, Cork,
Ireland, June 15th – 18th 2011. Poster Presentation.
55. Jeffery I.B., O’Toole P.W., Öhman L, Claesson M.J., Deane J, Quigley E.M.M.,
Simrén M An Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtype defined by species-specific
alterations in fecal microbiota. Microbial community profiling meeting. Accepted for
oral presentation. Microbial community profiling workshop, Wellcome Collection,
central London, 20 June, 2011.
56. O’Toole, P.W. Evolution of strain-specific host interaction traits in commensal
lactobacilli. FASEB Summer Research Conference “Probiotics, Intestinal Microbiota
and the Host: Physiological and Clinical Implications”. July 24 – 29, 2011, Carefree,
Arizona, USA. Invited plenary presentation.
57. Laks, B., Guinane, C., O’Connor, P., Coakley, M., Hill, C., Stanton, C., O’Toole, P.W. and
Ross, R.P. (2011) The ELDERMET BIOBANK: Characterisation of bacteriocin
producing bacteria from the intestinal microbiota of elderly Irish subjects.
Abstract/Poster at LAB10 (Tenth Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria). Egmond aan
Zee, the Netherlands. 28th Aug.-1st Sept. 2011.
58. O’Toole, P.W. Origin and evolution in the Lactobacillus salivarius clade. LAB10 Lactic
Acid Bacterial meeting, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands, August 31- September 3
2011. Invited plenary presentation.
59. Ross R.P. Overview of the ELDERMET project. Glycoscience Ireland Conference,
Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. 21st October, 2011.
60. Jeffery I.B., O’Toole P.W., Öhman L, Claesson M.J., Deane J, Quigley E.M.M.,
Simrén M An Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtype defined by species-specific
alterations in fecal microbiota. Microbial community profiling meeting. Accepted for
oral presentation. United European Gastroenterology Week, Stockholm, October
22-26th 2011.
61. Marchesi J. “Why should we care about what's going on in our gut: integrating the
microbiome into host biology?" Oct 28th, Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK.
62. Egan P.E., O’Connor E.M., Conde S, Fitzgerald A, Fitzgerald G.F., O'Toole P.W.
Associations between polypharmacy, nutritional status and functional ability in
elderly Irish subjects in long term care (The ELDERMET project) 11th Annual
Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, University College Cork, Ireland, Nov
4th 2011. Poster presentation.
63. Power S.E., O'Toole P.W., O’Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F., on behalf of the EM
consortium. Compliance with Irish food based dietary guidelines in elderly subjects
recruited from rehabilitation wards and out-patient clinics in Southern region
hospitals (The ELDERMET project) 11th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research
Conference, University College Cork, Ireland, Nov 4th 2011. Poster presentation.
16
64. Claesson M.J. “Comparison of Illumina and Pyrosequencing Technologies for
Resolving Microbiota Composition Using Tandem Variable 16S rRNA Gene Regions”.
3rd Annual Next Generation Sequencing Congress 14-15th Nov 2011, London, UK.
65. Marchesi J. “The impact of NGS on understanding superorganism biology at Human
Metagenomics Track” - 3rd Annual Next Generation Sequencing Congress, 14-15th
Nov 2011, London, UK
66. Bantry-White E. Ni Laoire C. O'Connor E., Cusack S. & Haun Y. Wills T. (2011) Age,
Income and Food in Ireland: A study of the socio-economic influences of food
expenditure amongst community dwelling older people in Ireland CARDI
International Research Conference
67. Jeffery I.B. , Claesson M.J., Harris H, Power S.E., O'Connor E.M., O’Toole P.W.
Microbial diversity is highly correlated with the Healthy Food Diversity Index.
International Human Microbiome Congress, Palais Brongniart, Paris, 19-21 March,
2012. Poster presentation.
68. Power S.E., O'Connor E.M., Jeffery I.B., O'Toole P.W., Fitzgerald G.F. Gender
differences in food intake among Irish community-dwelling elderly subjects: The
ELDERMET project. Proc. Of Nutr. Soc. (2012) 71 (OCE2), E152. Poster
presentation.
69. Power S.E., O'Toole P.W., O'Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F. Compliance with Irish
food-based dietary guidelines in elderly subjects recruited from rehabilitation
wards and out-patient clinics in Southern region hospitals (The ELDERMET
project). Proc. Of Nutr. Soc. (2012) 71 (OCE2), E153. Poster presentation.
70. O'Connor E.M, Power S.E., Fitzgerald G.F., O'Toole P.W. Fish-oil consumption is
inversely correlated with depression and cognition decline in healthy Irish elderly
adults. Proc. Of Nutr. Soc. (2012) 71 (OCE2), E151. Poster presentation.
71. Hill, C. Probiotic control of infection: Mechanisms of action. Probiotic Association
of India, Delhi, India. August 28, 2012. Oral presentation
72. O'Connor E.M., O'Toole P.W. Health and Disease Incidence in Irish, Elderly
Community-Dwelling Subjects: Baseline Findings from the ELDERMET project. The
60th Irish Gerontological Society meeting 14-15th Sept, Cork. Poster presentation.
73. Power S.E. O'Toole P.W., O’Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F. Compliance to Food Pyramid
guidelines in Irish community dwelling elderly subjects (The ELDERMET project).
The 8th Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine conference, 26th-28th Sept,
Brussels, Belgium. Poster presentation
74. O’Connor E.M and O’Toole P.W (2012) Health and disease incidence in Irish, Elderly
Subjects: Baseline findings from the ELDERMET project. The 8th Congress of the
European Geriatric Medicine conference, 26th-28th Sept, Brussels, Belgium. Poster
presentation
75. Egan P.E., O'Connor E.M., Conde S, Fitzgerald A.P., O'Toole P.W. Associations
between Polypharmacy, Functional ability and Nutritional status in elderly Irish
subjects in long-term care (the ELDERMET project). European Geriatric Medicine
O061. 3S (2012) S1-S32. The 8th Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine
conference, 26th-28th Sept, Brussels, Belgium. Oral presentation by E.M. O’Connor.
76. Claesson M.J. Gut microbiota, diet and health in the elderly population. 10th
Meeting of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.
River Lee Hotel and University College Cork Cork. October 1-3, 2012. Oral
presentation
17
77. Claesson M.J., O’Toole P.W. Diet driven changes in the elderly microbiota. Use of
pro/prebiotics to improve health status of the malnourished elderly. ISAPP
discussion group 4 October 2012, Cork. Oral presentation.
78. Claesson M.J. Gut Microbiota, Diet and Health in the Elderly Population. 4th Annual
Next Generation Sequencing Congress, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow,
London. November 15-16th, 2012. Oral presentation.
79. O’Toole, P.W. 2012. Diet-health-microbiota interactions in older persons - the
ELDERMET study. International Human Microbiome Congress. Palais. Brongniart,
Paris, France, March 19-21 2012. Invited oral presentation.
80. O’Toole, P.W. 2012. Diet-health-microbiota interactions in older persons - the
ELDERMET study. Host-microbes Cross-Talk: from animal models to human
patients. University of Oslo, Norway, March 12-13, 2012. Invited oral presentation.
81. Jeffery I.B. , Claesson M.J., Harris H, Power S.E., O'Connor E.M., and O’Toole P.W.
on behalf of The ELDERMET Consortium. Microbial diversity is highly correlated
with the Healthy Food Diversity Index. International Human Microbiome Congress,
Palais Brongniart, Paris, 19-21 March, 2012. Poster presentation.
82. O’Toole, P.W. Food interventions in the older adult. APC/Teagasc/Enterprise
Ireland Symposium: Clinical trials for foods and supplements – guidance for
industry. Thomond Park Conference Centre, Limerick, Ireland, September 28, 2012.
Oral presentation.
83. Jeffery I.B., Claesson, M.J., S. Conde, S. E. Power, E. M. O’Connor, S. Cusack, H.
Harris, M. Coakley, B. Lakshminarayanan, O. O’Sullivan, G. F. Fitzgerald, J. Deane, M.
O’Connor, N. Harnedy, K. O’Connor, D. O’Mahony, D. van Sinderen, M. Wallace, L.
Brennan, C. Stanton, J R. Marchesi, A. P. Fitzgerald, F. Shanahan, C. Hill, R. P. Ross,
and P. W. O’Toole. 2012. Diet determines gut microbiota in the elderly which
correlates with health. The Virtual Institute of Bioinformatics (Eire), National
Botanical Gardens auditorium, Glasnevin, Dublin. November 2012. Oral presentation.
84. Cudmore S. (Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre & CEO Atlantia Food CRO, UCC) Food
vs Pharma – who is dominating the PARNUTS market (PARNUTS = foods for
particular nutritional purposes). Conference: Advancements in Food and Beverage
Clinical Trials; Oct 16-17 2012; Hamburg, Germany. Oral presentation featuring
Eldermet information and it’s applicability to the area of elderly health for the
development of Medical Foods.
85. O'Sullivan O, Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, Claesson M.J., Cusack S, Conde S,
Fitzgerald A.P., O'Toole P.W., Stanton C, Ross R.P. “Alterations in intestinal
microbiota of elderly Irish subjects post antibiotic therapy”. Gut-Microbiology
Rowett-INRA Conference 2012. Clermont-Ferrand, France. 17-20 June, 2012.
86. O'Sullivan O, Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, Claesson M.J, Cusack S, Conde S,
Fitzgerald A.P., O'Toole P.W., Stanton C, Ross R.P. “Alterations in intestinal
microbiota of elderly Irish subjects post antibiotic therapy”. 11th European
Conference on Computational Biology. Basel, Switzerland. 9-12 September, 2012.
87. O'Sullivan O, Coakley M, Lakshminarayanan B, Claesson M.J., Cusack S, Conde S,
Fitzgerald A.P., O'Toole P.W., Stanton C, Ross R.P. “Alterations in intestinal
microbiota of elderly Irish subjects post antibiotic therapy”. The 3rd Conference
on Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics in Modern Medicine. Belfast, Northern
Ireland. 19-21 September, 2012.
18
88. Bantry-White E. Ni Laoire C. O'Connor E., Cusack S. & Haun Y. Wills T. (2011) Age,
Income and Food in Ireland: A study of the socio-economic influences of food
expenditure amongst community dwelling older people in Ireland CARDI
International Research
89. Wills T., Bantry-White E., Ni Laoire C., O'Connor E., Cusack S., Huan Y (2011) Age,
Income and Food in Ireland: A study of the socio-economic influences of food
expenditure amongst community dwelling older people in Ireland RCSI International
Research Conference, Trinity College
90. O’Toole, PW (2013). Technologies to investigate the human gut microbiota. 2nd
World Summit Gut Microbiota for Health, Madrid, 24th – 26th February 2013.
91. O’ Toole, PW (2013). The Human Microbiome: overdue recognition for our fellow
travellers, SGM Spring Conference, Manchester 25th -28th March 2013
92. Ian Jeffery. Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtypes defined by species-specific
alterations in fecal microbiota. The 7th International Yakult Symposium: The
Intestinal Microbiota and Probiotics: Exploiting Their Influence on Health. The
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre London, The United Kingdom April 22nd -
23rd, 2013 (Poster presentation)
93. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-health-microbiota correlations in older persons - the
ELDERMET study. 7th International Yakult Symposium, London, UK. April 22nd,
2013. Invited plenary lecture.
94. O'Sullivan, Ó., Lynch, D.B., Coakley, M., Jeffery, I.B., O'Toole, P.W., Stanton, C.
and Ross, R.P. (2013) Temporal stability of the intestinal microbiota post antibiotic
therapy in elderly Irish subjects. Cell Symposia: Microbiome and Host Health.
Lisbon, Portugal. 12th-14th May, 2013. (Poster presentation)
95. Jeffery, IB (2013). Diet-microbiota interactions and their implications for healthy
ageing. 3rd International Conference on Foodomics, Cesena, Italy, 22nd-24th May
2013.
96. Jeffery, IB (2013). Microbiome and elderly nutrition. Group: Evidence of probiotic
and prebiotic benefits to public health - scientific and regulatory needs. Chairs:
Mary Ellen Sanders, Seppo Salminen and Irene Lenoir-Wijnkoop. 11th Meeting of
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics In
Collaboration with The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Sciences and The New York
Academy of Sciences (The Academy). 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St,
40th Fl, New York, NY. June 12th-14th, 2013. Invited expert.
97. Ross, P (2013). The Science of Translation, 11th Annual Meeting of ISAPP June
12th-14th, 2013, New York City. Invited participant.
98. Dinan, T (2013). Influence of neurochemical-producing probiotics and the
microbiome on the brain and its function including behaviour Probiotics, Prebiotics
and the Host Microbiome: The Science of Translation, 11th Annual Meeting of
ISAPP June 12th-14th, 2013, New York City
99. Ross, P (2013). “Bugs on the Brain! Role of our microbiota at the extremes of life”.
Presentation at 42nd Annual Food Research Conference, Teagasc Food Research
Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland. 27-28 June 2013.
100. Ross, P (2013). “Bugs on the Brain! Role of our microbiota at the extremes of life”.
University of Oslo, Norway. 31st June 2013. Invited speaker.
19
101. Ross, P (2013). A galaxy within us: opportunities to shape our gut microbiota
through diet and Bacteriocin production as a probiotic trait. NZIFST Conference
2013. Hastings, New Zealand. 2th-4th July 2013. Invited speaker.
102. O’Toole, PW (2013). Gut microbiota: core composition and function in health and
aging. July 24th 2013. Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Adhesion and
Signal Transduction; Salve Regina University; Newport, RI, USA. Invited plenary
talk.
103. Jeffery, IB (2013). Diet-Microbiota Interactions and The Elderly. NIH Human
Microbiome Science: A Vision for the Future. Bethesda, MD , USA, July 24th-26th,
2013.
104. O’Toole, PW (2013). Microbiome and aging. 15th International Congress of
Immunology, Satellite session 3: - Aging and the immune system. Milan, Italy,
August 20th 2013.
105. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-health-microbiota correlations in older persons - the
ELDERMET study. The Society for General Microbiology, Irish Division Autumn
Meeting: Gut microbes – friend, or foe? University of Ulster, Coleraine. Thurs 29th
– Fri 30th August, 2013.
106. Jeffery, IB (2013) on behalf of The ELDERMET Consortium. Changes in the
microbiota during ageing. Keynote speaker Invitation British Society for Research
on Ageing. University of East Anglia, Norwich, September 2nd – 4th, 2013. Keynote
speaker.
107. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Diet and microbiota in elderly. 7th Probiotics, Prebiotics &
New Foods. Università Urbaniana, Rome 8th -10th September 2013
108. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-microbiota-health interactions in older persons - the
ELDERMET study and probing causality in the NuAge project. IUNS 20th
International Congress of Nutrition, Granada (Spain), September 15th – 20th , 2013.
109. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Diet-microbiota-health interactions in older subjects. SFRR
- Europe 2013 Meeting “The new era of -omics in Free Radicals in Biology and
Medicine, Athens Greece, September 23th -25th, 2013
110. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Diet-microbiota-health interactions in older persons. 8th
Annual International Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
(ITMAT) Symposium, Harnessing the Paradox: Personalization and the Science of
Scale. Philadelphia, USA, October 14th – 15th, 2013.
111. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Gut bacterium-host interactions; from big picture to little
picture. The 6th Annual Meeting of The Irish Epithelial Physiology Group (IEPG).
Kilkenny, October 24th - 25th 2013.
112. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Gut microbiota and health in elderly subjects – a role for
probiotics? Probio 2013. Centre Mont-Royal, Montreal, Canada, October 30th-31st,
2013.
113. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Diet-microbiota-health interactions in older persons: the
ELDERMET study EFFoST Annual Meeting, Bologna, Italy, 12th-15th November
2013
114. Ross, P (2013). A galaxy within us: role of the gut microbiota in nutrition, health
and disease”. 64th Congress of the Hellenic Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology. Athens, Greece. 6th-8th December 2013.
20
115. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Gut microbiota in older subjects: variation, causes and health consequences. Nutrition Society Winter Meeting 2013. Diet, Gut Microbiology and
Human Health. RCS, London, London UK, 11th-12th December 2013.
116. Stanton, C (2013). Microbial metabolite production by gut microbes and
implications for host health. Nutrition Society Winter Meeting 2013. Diet, Gut
Microbiology and Human Health. London, RCS, London UK, 11th-12th December 2013.
(h) National Report
None to date
(i) Popular non-scientific publications
1. Inside / Out; Volume 1, 2008; APC newsletter to the patient and medical
community.
2. Moorepark News. ELDERMET: ‘Gut health for the elderly’. Issue 25. Autumn 2008.
3. "Coordinated Global Effort to Investigate Role of Microbes in Human Health and
Disease". Innovations Report. October 17th, 2008. http://www.innovations-
report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/researchers_establish_international_huma
n_microbiome_120457.html
4. "Coordinated Global Effort to Investigate Role of Microbes in Human Health and
Disease" National Human Genome Research Institute. October 16th, 2008.
http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=27528490
5. "Coordinated Global Effort to Investigate Role of Microbes in Human Health and
Disease" NIH News. October 16th, 2008.
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/oct2008/nhgri-16.htm
6. "Seminars put positive spotlight on ageing" Evening Echo. October 12th, 2009
7. "Healthy Ever After" Irish Examiner Feel Good, November 13th, 2009
8. ‘Food innovation in the knowledge economy’. Morepark food research publication
9. Progurt news – ‘Study into impact of gut microbes on disease in elderly’.
Http://www.progurt.com/_blog/Progurt_News/post
10. Gut Reaction - 'Taking a fresh look at gut bacteria' Volume 6, No. 1, Summer 2010
11. The Avondhu (newspaper), Thursday, April 1st, 2010 (pg. 52). News brief.
12. CARDI - a picture of ageing research (pg 32 - 33). October 2010.
13. “Investigating bacteriocins as potential therapeutics for the control of Clostridium difficile” PhD Thesis presented by Mary Rea, March 2011.
14. Moorepark News. ‘Moorepark involved in research to help elderly’. Issue 34. Winter
2012.
15. O’Connor E.M. on behalf of the ELDERMET consortium ‘Clinical trials for foods and
supplements – guidance for industry’ Symposium, Thomond Park, Limerick, 28th
September 2012. Conference Report (submitted British Nutrition Foundation)
16. Bantry-White E., Ni Laoire C., Wills, T., O'Connor E., Cusack S. & Huan Y.; (2011)
Age, Income and Food in Ireland: A study of the socio-economic influences of food
expenditure amongst community-dwelling older people in Ireland. Centre for Ageing
Research and Developments in Ireland, Belfast.
17. Mills S., Stanton C., Ross P., O’Toole P.W., Shanahan F., Hill C., & Fitzgerald G. Gut
health in the elderly. TResearch; Research and Innovation news at Teagasc. Winter
2007. Vol. 2, No. 4. 9-11.
21
18. ELDERMET: Gut health for the Elderly. Moorepark News. Issue 25, autumn 2008.
19. ‘Long Life – Good Health’. UCC News, November, 2008.
20. Irish Medical Times, 18th September, 2008.
21. ‘Cork Project to Benefit Older People’. Cork Independent News, 18th, September,
2008.
22. “Let’s invest in our elderly for a better future for all”. Evening Echo, 8th January,
2008.
23. "ELDERMET project demonstrated" Today's Farm - July - August 2009 Volume 20
Number 4, page 8
24. "Older Volunteers Needed" TResearch. Vol. 3, No. 4, winter, 2008. Page 4.
25. "Targeted Research" Irish Food - Ingredients Edition, 2008. Page 29.Moorepark
Food Research - Food Innovation in the Knowledge Economy. Pages 8, 10. Teagasc
publications, 2009
26. “ELDERMET Project demonstrated” Article in Today’s Farm, Teagasc publication.
July / August 2009. Page 8.
27. "The inside story of good health" Senior Times, Issue 41, August / September
2009
28. “ELDERMET: gut health for the elderly” Update article in the Moorepark News,
Issue 28, Winter 2009.
29. "Nutrition for the older adult - eat healthily to age healthily". In: A guide to
nutrition for seniors. Home Instead Senior Care, 2011.
30. "Nutritional health for the family caregiver" IN: Senior Care Connections. Home
Instead Senior Care, August 2010. (http://www.homeinstead.ie/mor_details/10-
08-06/Nutrition_for_the_older_adult_-_eat_healthily_to_age-healthily.aspx).
31. UCC Echo Diary “New study focuses on improving diet and health in the elderly”
February 28th, 2011
32. Irish Examiner Feel Good, “Elderly to benefit from research project–ELDERMET”
March 4th, 2011
33. Irish Times-Health “Health Board” March 8th, 2011
34. Cork Independent – Health and beauty, “Bacteria battle” September 29th, 2011.
35. http://healthfinder.gov/News/newsstory.aspx?docid=666682
36. http://www.ivillage.com/gut-microbes-might-reflect-health-diet-older-adults/4-a-
472706
37. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0714/1224320063665.html
38. http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2012/july/title,64022,en.html
39. http://health-nutrition-fitness.net/health-fitness-and-nutrition/gut-microbes-
might-reflect-health-diet-of-older-adults/2012/07/14
40. http://dietawellness.com/gut-microbes-might-reflect-health-diet-of-older-adults-
2/
41. http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2012/0714/business/food-companies-
urged-to-take-advantage-of-research-on-diet-200701.html
42. http://news.yahoo.com/gut-microbes-might-reflect-health-diet-older-adults-
180414846.html
43. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/news.aspx?ID=666682/2012/07/14
44. http://www.ucc.ie/en/news/summary-161395-en.html
45. http://www.energeticforum.com/psychic-paranormal/8143-brain-advanced-fractal-
antenna-88.html
22
46. http://selfhelp4success.com/blog/health-gut-microbes-might-reflect-health-diet-
of-older-adults/2012/07/14
47. http://donieconwayaddress.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/
48. http://www.ucc.ie/research/apc/content/news_events/news/News62.html
49. irish farmers journal – gut feeling – article on Nature publication 07/08/12
50. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2012/0717/1224320247818.html
51. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2012/0731/1224321149188.html
52. http://humanfoodproject.com/what-can-a-100-year-old-irish-grandmother-teach-
us-about-school-lunches/
53. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22064-old-folks-stomach-bacteria-are-
secret-to-their-hea http://kunc.org/post/thriving-gut-bacteria-linked-good-
healthlth.html/2012/07/14
54. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=160268/2012/07/14
55. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jul/16/thriving-gut-bacteria-linked-good-health/
56. http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/news/irish-researchers-link-gut-bacteria-
healthy-aging/2012/07/14
57. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/13/news/la-heb-gut-bacteria-elderly-
20120713
58. http://healthmaven.blogspot.ie/2012/07/thriving-gut-bacteria-linked-to-good.html
59. http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/07/16/diverse-gut-bacteria-key-for-good-
health/
60. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2174567/Are-tummy-bugs-secret-long-
life.html
61. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/07/16/156745291/thriving-gut-bacteria-
linked-to-good-health
62. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_127222.html/2012/07/14
63. http://beforeitsnews.com/health/2012/07/you-become-what-you-eat-
2392167.html
64. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002959913http://www.publichealthnews
wire.org/?p=4366/2012/07/14
65. http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/a-good-word-for-grub-in-effect/
66. http://lewrockwell.com/mercola/mercola219.html
67. http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/Health/20120717/2025311.html/2012
/07/14
68. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-25/health/32713216_1_bugs-
fatty-foods-diet
69. http://www.mcknights.com/gut-health-linked-to-frailty-in-the-elderly-research-
finds/article/250472/
70. http://www.womenshealth.gov/news/headlines/666682.cfm
71. http://www.naturecity.com/blog/probiotics/variety-gut-bacteria-healthy-aging/
72. Hughes. ‘Cultural differences – studies of gut bacteria are beginning to untangle
how diet affects health in old age – but determining cause and effect is tricky’.
Nature Perspective – Aging S14 Nature Vol 492. 6 Dec 2012.
73. Prof. Fergus Shanahan ELDERMET PI spoke to Derek Mooney on the ‘Mooney Goes
Wild’ radio show on RTE Radio One on ‘How to Make Bacteria Beneficial.’ In this live
interview, aired 15.30-16.00pm 14th Dec 2012 Prof. Shanahan spoke extensively
23
about ELDERMET and the Nature paper findings
http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/fp2012/dec14.html
74. Diet-microbiota interactions and their implications for healthy living Vector E-
Newsletter, Issue 2, March 2013
75. Microbiota project seeks answers to better elderly nutrition 3rd June, 2013
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Microbiota-project-seeks-answers-to-
better-elderly-nutrition
76. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Gut microbial changes in later life: Correlations between diet,
health and microbiota. Probiotic Bulletin Issue 19, August 2013
http://hcp.yakult.ie/files/1513/7588/0861/19August2013PB_Elderly_IE.pdf?agrec
id=Hqo
77. Ross, P (2013). A galaxy within us our gut microbiota and how it can be programmed
by food. tResearch Teagasc newsletter Autumn/Winter issue 2013, 8(3): 24-25.
http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/tresearch/index.asp
78. Coakley, M (2013). ELDERMET and ELDERFOOD. tResearch Teagasc newsletter
Autumn/Winter issue 2013, 8(3): 24-25.
http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/tresearch/index.asp
79. O’ Sullivan, O (2013). Antibiotic therapy and gut microbes. tResearch Teagasc
newsletter Autumn/Winter issue 2013, 8(3): 24-25.
http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/tresearch/index.asp
80. Ian Jeffery (2013). Gut microbes in for the long haul by Claire Conway, Science
Communication, The Irish Times, published 11th July 2013.
81. Paul Ross (2013). You are what you eat: The link between diet, your gut and health
problems. Independent, 22nd October 2013.
http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/you-are-what-you-eat-the-link-
between-diet-your-gut-and-health-problems-29677951.html
82. Paul Ross (2013). Our gut microbiota and how it can be programmed by food. The
Avondhu published 11th November 2013.
http://www.avondhupress.ie/20131111/news/our-gut-microbiota-and-how-it-can-be-
programmed-by-food-S45722.html
83. Paul O'Toole interviewed by Sam Barry for local radio - Newsline 100.5, broadcast
on Sunday 25th January 6.30pm
84. Paul O’ Toole featured on the Dara O’ Briain’s Science Club, Invisible Worlds,
Episode 6, Series 2 BBC 2, broadcast 29th August 2013
85. Paul O’ Toole interview by Gut Microbiota Worldwatch, 29th October, 2013.
http://www.gutmicrobiotawatch.org/2013/10/
86. Paul O’ Toole, interviewed by BBC Radio 4 Frontiers programme as part of a
documentary on gut microbiota broadcast 13th November 2013.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03h429g
87. Paul O’ Toole BBC 4 Frontiers interview broadcast on the BBC World Service on
25th November in the Discovery slot
88. Paul O’ Toole interviewed by Andrew Anthony for The Guardian (2014).
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/feb/11/gut-biology-health-bacteria-
future-medicine
(j) Workshops/seminars at which results were presented (excluding those in (g))
24
1. O’Toole, P.W. Genes, Microbes and Food: New insights and human health
implications. Public Lecture; Public Understanding of Science Winter Lecture
Series, Univ. College Cork, March 26th 2008.
2. Ross, P. “Opportunities for the Development of Functional Foods in Ireland”.
Workshop: New Technologies and Future Food Development. University College
Cork. September 16th, 2009.
3. Sackler Colloquium Microbes and Health November 3rd, 2009. Presentation: “Gut microbiota of the elderly: The ELDERMET consortium
(http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageNavigator/Sackler/Current%20Sackler%20coll
oquia/Microbes%20and%20Health/SACKLER_Microbes_and_Health_program)
4. Ross, P. “Microbes Benefiting Human Health”. Public forum: Microbes and Mankind
– How Bacteria and Viruses Shape Humanity. University College Cork. November
12th, 2009.
5. O’Toole, P.W. “Gut Microbiota Profiling in Elderly Irish Subjects”. Next
Generation Sequencing Workshop. University of Birmingham and the Infectious
Disease Research Network. December 10th – 11th, 2009.
6. O'Toole et al. Molecular characterisation of host interaction mechanisms with
commensal bacteria" Rowett Research Institute Seminar, Rowett Institute,
Aberdeen, Scotland. January 18th, 2010.
7. O’Toole, P.W. Culture-independent determination of the intestinal microbiota in
elderly subjects. INRA Clermont - Centre de Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, France.
March 28th 2011. Invited lecture.
8. ELDERMET Information and Recruitment Stand at the Teagasc-run Irish Dairying
Open Day (Planning for 2015). 29th June, 2011. Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co.
Cork
9. Senior Times show, Cork City Hall, May 14th / 15th May, 2011
10. Marchesi J. “Integrating the human microbiome into host biology: a new challenge
for clinicians”, 17th Nov 2011, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff,
Wales.
11. Ross R.P. Overview of the ELDERMET project. Dairy Seminar, Listowel Food Fair,
Listowel, Co. Kerry. 4th November, 2011.
12. O’Toole, P.W. Diet-health-microbiota interactions in older persons - the ELDERMET
study. National Institute on Aging: Microbiome and aging workshop NIA Gateway
Building, Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD. July 26, 2012. Invited lecture.
13. O’Toole, P.W. Diet-health-microbiota interactions in older persons - the ELDERMET
study. Implication of nutrition and gut microbiota on health. KBBE Food and Health
Theme – Workshop, 10-12 September 2012, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Invited lecture.
14. O’Toole, P.W. Gut microbiota in health, disease and aging. Institute of Food
Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, September 21st 2012. Invited
lecture.
15. Claesson M.J. Gut microbiota and its links to diet and health in the elderly Irish
population. Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre Research Seminar, BSI Seminar Room,
UCC. November 27th, 2012. Oral presentation.
16. O’Toole, P.W. Gut microbiota in health, disease and aging. 10th International
Workshop on Pathogenesis and Host Response in Helicobacter Infections,
Konventum Helsingør, Denmark, July 6, 2012. Invited plenary presentation.
25
17. O'Sullivan O on behalf of the ELDERMET consortium. “Gut microbiota composition
correlates with diet and health in the elderly”. Teagasc International Scientific
Advisory Board meeting, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland. 30 October, 2012.
18. Ross, P (2013). “The Future of Food Conference”. Reaseheath College, Nantwich,
Cheshire, United Kingdom. 14th March 2013. Invited speaker
19. O’Toole, PW (2013). Healthier aging: the role of diet and gut bacteria. April 16th
2013. FBBVA seminar, Bilbao, Spain. Invited seminar. http://vimeo.com/65626598
20. Stanton, C (2013). Invited speaker: Jianghnan University, Wuxi, China 8th May,
2013.
21. O’Toole, PW (2013). Gut microbiota changes in older people – causes and
consequences. DFG science camp 2013 | Kloster Seeon, Munich, Germany. Plenary
Invited lecture. May 2013.
22. O’Toole, PW (2013). Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease. Avison Biomedical
Symposium, May 31st, 2013 Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, Korea.
Invited plenary seminar.
23. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-microbiota interactions and healthy aging. Avison
Biomedical Symposium satellite workshop, June 1st, 2013 Yonsei University College
of Medicine Seoul, Korea. Invited seminar.
24. O’Toole, PW (2013). Role of the human microbiome in health, disease and healthy
aging. Advances in Genomics Research. Master Class, Erasmus Medical Centre
Summer Programme, August 22nd 2013, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
25. O’Toole, PW (2013). Selection of subjects for metagenomics analyses in large
dietary intervention studies. September 20th 2013. Second Annual Meeting, The
NuAge (FP7) Consortium, 20th-21st September 2013, Granada – Spain
26. Stanton, C (2013). Invited Speaker: IDF WDS, Yokahama, Japan. 31 Oct. 2013.
27. O’Connor, Eibhlís (2013). ‘Overview of Nutrition Related Research Areas’. The
Sixth Annual Medical School Research Forum, Graduate Entry Medical School,
University of Limerick. Wed 16th Jan 2013.
28. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Role of diet and gut bacteria, UCC College of SEFS Public
Lecture Series. Healthier Aging:, Professor Paul O’Toole ,30th January 2013.
29. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-intestinal microbiota-health interactions in aging. Clinical
Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, St James's Hospital Campus. Invited seminar.
30. O’ Toole, PW (2013). Diet-health-microbiota interactions in older persons - the
ELDERMET study. Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism 2nd Scientific
Conference, 5th -6th March, IrSPEN, Dublin.
31. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in St. Luke’s Home,
Mahon, Cork, in March.
32. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in St. Patrick’s
Marymount, Curraheen, Co. Cork in March.
33. O’Toole, PW (2013). Diet-gut bacteria-health interactions in older consumers: new
opportunities for food companies. Bord Bia Healthy Ageing seminar, Bord Bia,
Clanwilliam Court, Mount Street Dublin, May 22nd 2013. Invited plenary seminar.
34. Ross, P (2013). Speaker at APC of Science & Launch of Next Phase, UCC. 21st June
2013.
26
35. Stanton, C (2013). Speaker: APC Celebration of Science & Launch of Next Phase,
UCC. 21st June 2013.
36. O’Toole, PW (2013). Gut Microbiota in Health, Disease and Ageing. Research into
Practice - Evidence Based Medicine: Interpreting the Literature. The Centre for
Gerontology and Rehabilitation (CGR), School of Medicine, UCC, in association with
the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and HRB Clinical Research Facilities (CRF),
Cork and Galway. Brookfield Health Science Complex, UCC, 3rd July 2013.
37. Dinan, T (2013) Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis: Implications for Brain Development and
Dysfunction. Research into Practice - Evidence Based Medicine: Interpreting the
Literature. The Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (CGR), School of
Medicine, UCC, in association with the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and HRB
Clinical Research Facilities (CRF), Cork and Galway. Brookfield Health Science
Complex, UCC, 3rd July 2013.
38. Ross, P (2013). Research and development for the expanding Irish dairy
industry. Fonterra Research Centre, New Zealand. 9th July 2013. Invited speaker.
39. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in Farranlea House
Community Nursing Unit, Farranlea Road, Cork in August.
40. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in Heather House
Community Nursing Unit, Gurranbraher, Cork, in August.
41. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in Haven Bay Care Centre,
Kinsale, Co. Cork in August.
42. Stanton, C (2013). Invited Speaker: Young Life Scientists Symposium, UCC, 11th
Sept, 2013.
43. Eldermet project update presented to nursing staff in St. Luke’s Home, Mahon,
Cork in September.
44. Eldermet project update presented to nursing staff in Farranlea House Community
Nursing Unit, Farranlea Road, Cork in September.
45. Ross, P (2013). Nutraceuticals: milk components and the health industry. Global
500 Dairy and Beef Conference. Dublin, Ireland. 2nd -3rd October 2013. Invited
speaker
46. Eldermet project update presented to nursing staff in Haven Bay Care Centre,
Kinsale, Co. Cork in November 2013.
47. Eldermet project update presented to management & clinical staff in St. Finbarr’s
Hospital, Cork in November 2013.
48. Eldermet project update presented to Prinicipal Investigators from the Centre of
Gerontology & Rehabilitation, UCC in December 2013.
49. Eldermet project update presented to nursing staff in St. Patrick’s Marymount,
Curraheen, Co. Cork in December 2013.
50. Eldermet project update presented to management staff in Nazareth House,
Mallow, Co. Cork, in December 2013.
27
7. Permanent Researchers
Institution Name Number of
Permanent staff
contributing to
project
Total Time
contribution
(months)
Average time
contribution per
permanent staff
member
University College
Cork
Moorepark Food
Research Centre
14
5
46.92
11.06
3.35
2.21
Total 19 57.98 5.56
8. Researchers Funded by FIRM
Type of Researcher Number Total Time
contribution
(months)
Average time
Post Doctorates 6 134.68 22.45
Contract Researchers 16 300.10 18.76
PhD postgraduates 2 57.00 28.50
Temporary researcher 3 15.50 5.17
Total 27 507.28 74.87
9. Postgraduate Research
Total Number of PhD theses: __2__
Please include authors, institutions and titles of theses and submission dates. If not
submitted please give the anticipated submission date
Susan Eleanor Power: A study of diet and health in the elderly: the gut microbiota as a
source of bioactive agents, National University of Ireland Cork, 2013.
Susan was awarded an IRCSET/industry partnership award and worked alongside the
ELDERMET project to prepare and analyse nutritional date from the project at no cost to
the budget. ELDERMET/DAFM was acknowledged in her publications.
28
Bhuvaneswari Laksminarayanan: The ELDERMET Biobank: isolation and characterization of
intestinal microbiota from elderly Irish subjects, National University of Ireland Cork,
2014.
Total Number of Masters theses: __0__
10. Involvement in Food Graduate Development Programme
Name of Postgraduate / contract
researcher
Names of modules attended
Note: Two ELDERMET PIs, Prof. Ger Fitzgerald and Prof. Colin Hill, established a
new module for the Agri Food Development Programme entitled “Hygiene
Management and Food Safety in the Food Industry”
The student salaried by ELDERMET did not enrol in any FGDP modules as she was
based out in Moorepark.
11. Project Expenditure
Total expenditure of the project: €4,671,089
Total Award by FIRM €4,846,490
Other sources of funding (specify) €0
Breakdown of Total Expenditure
Category UCC
€
MRFC
€
Total
€
Contract staff 1,817,782 298,805 2,116,587
Students 16,931 82,154 99,085
Consumables 173,646 215,338 388,984
Travel and subsistence 35,998 13,015 49,013
Sub total 2,044,357 609,313 2,653,669
Durable equipment 72,405 86,967 159,372
Other:
Couriers 34,124 - 34,124
Sequencing
Overheads
550,233
513,590
612,530
147,569
1,162,763
661,160
Total 3,214,709 1,456,379 4,671,089
29
12. Future Strategies
Outline development plans for the results of the research. While DAFM funding for ELDERMET has now ceased, the research theme continues and is
hosted within the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre which is funded through Science
Foundation Ireland. Elements of the ELDERMET project and the brand name are also
maintained in current (and planned) EU/H2020 projects. We continue to build on the
valuable data gathered during the project timeframe by recruiting additional elderly
subjects to expand our knowledge of the interaction between nutrition, health and disease
and the role of the gut microbiota. In vitro, in vivo and pre-clinical models have been
established to further investigate the interplay between the different factors such diet
components and disease. End-users are beginning to directly benefit from ELDERMET
through the rational design of food ingredients that positively modulate the microbiota.
Thus the project’s profile has led to a number of national and international research and
industrial collaborations which will exploit are or exploiting its findings. These projects will
lead to the development of evidence-based solutions such as new dietary recommendations
and food products which will promote active and healthy ageing and positively influence the
gut microbiota. Further research also has the potential for the identification of beneficial
or therapeutic bacterial strains or novel biomarkers of disease and ageing, which could
lead to the development of new disease management and treatment strategies or
diagnostics. The ELDERMET principal investigators continue to seek out funding
opportunities to support the ongoing research, this includes national (DAFM, SFI & EI), EU
(Horizon 2020), international (NIH) and industrial sources. Members of the team
currently lead a number of national projects and are partners in large EU FP7 consortia
which are synergistic to ELDERMET. They are also involved in number of proposal
currently under review in Horizon 2020 and are co-ordinating a 2015 proposal submission
to the topic: Tackling Malnutrition in the elderly.
ELDERMET is an internationally recognized brand and our aim is develop into a reference
centre with UCC partners in the area of dietary aspects of healthy aging. The vision is to
turn our existing knowledge into real solutions to improve healthy ageing through continued
collaborations which will inform and lead a better understanding of diseases and towards
the development of personalized healthcare and novel functional foods. The benefits of
the research are of strategic importance at a national, EU and global level as it will
directly contribute towards addressing the societal grand challenge of an ageing population
and the burden this places on healthcare systems and economies. The prospect of the
development of new food products, diagnostics or therapeutics has the potential for job
creation and increased competitive markets for the associated industries.
13. Industry Collaboration
Summarise details of industry collaboration in the research project. Lakelands Dairies are our industrial partner on the FIRM project, ELDERFOOD
which is investigating novel, dairy-based food ingredients which will be developed
for the elderly consumer.
30
Currently we have a collaborative project with the Kerry Group that is part of the
SFI-funded APC, which is based on technologies established in ELDERMET. We are
involved in another FIRM project called IMMUNOMET with Kerry which was
recently approved and also involves Prof. Helen Roche of UCD and Dr. Eibhlis
O’Connor of University of Limerick.
We have also engaged with Nutricia, Kerry and BioAtlantis who are now part of a
consortium we are leading to apply for funding to Horizon 2020 in 2015 on the topic
of ‘Tackling Malnutrition in the Elderly’. This will build on the valuable research
from ELDERMET.
General Mills are involved in an APC collaborative project which includes a food
intervention study in the elderly. It is hoped the study will lead to the development
of evidence-based solutions to promote healthy ageing. This has also involved
engagement with Moorepark Technology Limited and Nutritional Supplies.