Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The obesity epidemic has increased to enormous numbers with 890 million adults being classified as obese (BMI≥30). Obesity is of extreme concern as it is a comorbidity to coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and cancer. Although obesity has classically been attributed to genetics and lifestyle, there is a growing interest in other factors, including the gut microbiome. Germ-free mice are resistant to weight gain even when placed on a high-calorie diet, establishing that metabolites produced by gut microbiota can dramatically inhibit metabolism. Here, we use Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which has been previously shown to be reduced in obese individuals; however, the mechanism has yet to be fully established. We hypothesized that heightened concentrations of F. prausnitizii will increase fat metabolism and reduce obesity. To test this, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model and administered F. prausnitizii to determine its effect on obesity. Our data suggests that Wild Type female D. melanogaster survive longer on a high fat diet when F. Prauznitizii is administered. Since identifying this association, our focus is elucidating the pathway induced by F. Prausnitzii. Current experiments suggest the E78 pathway as a putative target for the beneficial effects of F. Prausnitzii. After confirming the effects of F. prausnitzii on fatty acid metabolism, we will attempt to further identify specific metabolites produced by this bacteria. By pinpointing these metabolites, we aim to contribute novel insights into obesity management through targeting the gut microbiota, potentially paving the way for therapeutic strategies to combat obesity and its related diseases.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Joshua Owens
Recommended Citation
Head, Jackson and Whitehead, Whitley, "Investigating the Role and Mechanism of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Fatty Acid Metabolism and Obesity Using the Drosophila melanogaster Model" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 147.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/147
Included in
Investigating the Role and Mechanism of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Fatty Acid Metabolism and Obesity Using the Drosophila melanogaster Model
The obesity epidemic has increased to enormous numbers with 890 million adults being classified as obese (BMI≥30). Obesity is of extreme concern as it is a comorbidity to coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and cancer. Although obesity has classically been attributed to genetics and lifestyle, there is a growing interest in other factors, including the gut microbiome. Germ-free mice are resistant to weight gain even when placed on a high-calorie diet, establishing that metabolites produced by gut microbiota can dramatically inhibit metabolism. Here, we use Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which has been previously shown to be reduced in obese individuals; however, the mechanism has yet to be fully established. We hypothesized that heightened concentrations of F. prausnitizii will increase fat metabolism and reduce obesity. To test this, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model and administered F. prausnitizii to determine its effect on obesity. Our data suggests that Wild Type female D. melanogaster survive longer on a high fat diet when F. Prauznitizii is administered. Since identifying this association, our focus is elucidating the pathway induced by F. Prausnitzii. Current experiments suggest the E78 pathway as a putative target for the beneficial effects of F. Prausnitzii. After confirming the effects of F. prausnitzii on fatty acid metabolism, we will attempt to further identify specific metabolites produced by this bacteria. By pinpointing these metabolites, we aim to contribute novel insights into obesity management through targeting the gut microbiota, potentially paving the way for therapeutic strategies to combat obesity and its related diseases.