UCSF Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine

October 2022

PREMO study enrolls first preterm participant

The Premature Microbiome and Outcomes (PREMO) study, a BCMM collaborative with the UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative, is actively enrolling participants from the Prediction of Maturity, Morbidity and Mortality in Preterm Infants (PROMPT ) and the Healthy Outcomes of Pregnancy (HOPE) studies. PREMO aims to develop a greater understanding of the role of the early-life microbiome in preterm infant development. To date, PREMO has received samples from more than 65 mother-infant pairs at time points spanning the pre-, peri-, and post-natal periods. Just this month, we enrolled our first two preterm participants who are receiving care in the NICU at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco. These precious samples will increase our understanding of how the early life microbiome programs immune function and relates to clinical outcomes in later life. It also aims to build the foundation for future BCMM-funded studies. Ultimately, data and sample resources generated through this initiative will be made available to the BCMM community to support additional integrative research opportunities.

News

BCMM receives gift to develop therapeutics for periodontal disease

BCMM is delighted to have received a generous gift from Dr. Larry Berkelhammer to develop improved treatment options for periodontal disease. Studies supported by this gift aim to leverage healthy oral microbiomes to identify novel microbial-derived molecules to combat periodontal pathogens and to develop personalized microbial model systems to create precise, individualized treatment options for patients. In addition to this research program, the gift will also support high-level trainees in the School of Dentistry with research funds and specialized training opportunities to expand their investigations.

Meet this year's BCMM graduate fellowship recipients

We've awarded three incoming PhD students $15,000 fellowships to support their interest in the field.

Claire Dubin (BMI program)
James Asaki (BMS program)
Ivan Chavez (BMS program)

Microbial culturing facility workshop for UCSF and SFSU researchers

On October 27th, the BCMM Microbial Culture facility will hold a virtual workshop, titled "Introduction to Microbial Culturing." The workshop will cover rationale for microbial isolation and screening techniques, recent innovations, sample projects, and services provided by the facility. Register for the workshop.

Welcome new & returning team members

We are excited to welcome Josephine Tsuei (left) as the new BCMM Administrative Officer. Sarah Mortley (right), our Program and Financial Manager, has also recently returned from leave spent nurturing the developing microbiome of her young son!