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Electron microscope image of bacteria from the human gastrointestinal microbiota. © INRA, THOMAS Muriel & MEYLHEUC Thierry

Press release

24 Sep 2019

Disarming a probiotic to improve its benefits

For more than a century, the Nissle 1917 strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli has been used as a probiotic to treat gastrointestinal disorders. However, this bacterium also produces a toxin, colibactin, which has deleterious effects on host DNA and might cause colon cancer. It is therefore crucial to understand the mechanisms at play in the strain if we wish to limit undesirable side effects.

Multimodal imaging of a slice of pig brain showing the X-ray scan in shades of grey and brain glucose uptake in false colour via positron-emission tomography (PET)

Press release

25 Jul 2019

Artificial sweeteners: certain adverse metabolic effects revealed in a preclinical model

INRA researchers, in collaboration with the University of Adelaide, Australia, studied the effects that a widely used artificial sweetener blend, i.e. acesulfame K-sucralose, has on metabolism. For the first time, they revealed – in animals – an increase in glucose absorption, particularly in the brain and fatty tissues, indicating certain undesirable effects on metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

bottle. © INRA, MAITRE Christophe

Press release

24 Jul 2019

Partially hydrolysed (hypoallergenic) baby formulas do not reduce allergy risks in infants

Often, hypoallergenic formulas are recommended for infants who are not exclusively breastfed and who are at risk of developing allergies. While it is assumed that such formulas reduce the development of allergies later in life, it is unclear whether this claim is true. A team of INRA and INSERM researchers have shown that the consumption of partially hydrolysed (hypoallergenic) formulas was not associated with a reduced risk of developing allergies.

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Magazines

22 Jul 2019

Philippe Mauguin at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie for the 2nd World Microbiome Day. © INRA

The 2^nd World Microbiome Day celebrated at the Cité des Sciences

Last June 27^th 2019, on the occasion of the World Microbiome Day, Philippe Sansonetti, Joël Doré and Claude Vincent, in the name of the Microbiome Inter Academic Group (IAG) as well as Philippe Mauguin, President of INRA, organised at La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris, an event delivering an up-to-date vision of the role of the gut microbiome in nutrition and health. On this occasion, a documentary on these bacteria which we host and which are beneficial to our health, entitled “Les fabuleux pouvoirs du ventre’’ was presented en avant-première of its release by the television channel ARTE in the fall.

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Reports

Wine cellar in the Agronomy and Viticulture Experimentation Unit at the INRA center in Colmar. Opening of a cask used in a microvinification experiment. © INRA, MAITRE Christophe

Yeast: how wines get made

METAQUANT metagenomics platform. © INRA, BEAUCARDET William

Cocktail effects of toxic substances demonstrated in vitro

When wine has a thirst for research. © FOTOLIA, Fotolia

When wine has a thirst for research

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