MOTHERS - Monitoring the gut microbiota, the resistance against Salmonella, the animal performance and immune response through an adult, pathogen-free microbiota

Context and challenges

The relationships between a well-balanced gut microbiota and the health and performance of animals are now well established. Normal development of the gut microbiota can favour a “barrier effect” against pathogens. This mechanism occurs in adult chickens and is mainly based on the first bacteria that colonise the gut of chicks. Our recent results demonstrated the protective activity of an adult microbiota inoculated into chicks before they were infected by Salmonella.

Goals

This project aims to achieve the in-depth characterisation of an adult microbiota isolated by INRAE, called PaFAIM, which is now available in sufficient quantities to enable repeated experiments and can be used as a starting microbiota in chicks. When initially harvested, PaFAIM is devoid of any pathogens and of any antibiotic resistance genes. During this project, we shall determine whether PaFAIM, used as a starting microbiota, can lead to the development of a complex and well-balanced gut microbiota that has beneficial effects on the immune response and performance of the host animal by offering a barrier against caecal colonisation by Salmonella, as shown by an adult gut microbiota.

This goal will be achieved by means of a multidisciplinary approach that includes multi-omic characterisation at the scale of the entire holobiont, and an epidemiological modelling method. The project will open the way towards subsequent development of a simplified microbiota that offers protection against intestinal pathogens and enhances chick robustness.

INRAE Partners

Non INRAE partners