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Current Research
The Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) program uses basic science, translational and clinical research to better understand the gut microbiome and its role in human health and disease. Using the bench to bedside approach, MAST continues to generate important discoveries and improvements in diagnosing and treating microbiome-based disorders including gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases.
One of the most ambitious of these studies is REIMAGINE—a large-scale effort to understand the small bowel microbiome for the first time. Since the small intestine is the absorbing surface, elements that bacteria produce here are more likely to be absorbed and impact health. Currently, MAST is conducting a REIMAGINE clinical trial to understand how microorganisms in the gut affect individuals and how they may contribute to gut-related human diseases.
REIMAGINE publications:
- Leite G, Morales W, Weitsman S, Celly S, Parodi G, Mathur R, Sedighi R, Barlow G, Rezaie A, Pimentel M. Optimizing Microbiome Sequencing for Small Intestinal Aspirates: Validation of Novel Techniques through the REIMAGINE Study. BMC Microbiology. 2019 Nov 1;19(1):239.
- Leite GGS, Weitsman S, Parodi G, Celly S, Sedighi R, Sanchez M, Morales W, Villanueva-Millan MJ, Barlow GM, Mathur R, Lo SK, Jamil LH, Paski S, Rezaie A, Pimentel M. Mapping the Segmental Microbiomes in the Human Small Bowel in Comparison with Stool: A REIMAGINE Study. Dig Dis Sci. 2020 Sep;65(9):2595-2604.
The MAST team is also taking a closer look at the relationships among M. smithii, weight and metabolism by exploring whether the use of a nonabsorbable antibiotic—one that stays solely in the gastrointestinal tract and targets methanogens—can either attenuate weight gain or enhance weight loss in a group of animals on a high-fat diet.
The hope of the MAST team is that these studies lead to the development of a growing series of discoveries and potential microbiome-based treatments.
Groundbreaking Developments at MAST
Small Intestine Aspirate Tool
Tools are needed for evaluating the human microbiome, and numerous challenges have needed to be overcome to study the microbiome of the small intestine. One challenge has been that the amount of fluid that can be aspirated from this area is limited. Typical catheters are contaminated as they traverse the endoscope through which these samples are obtained. In collaboration with Hobbs Medical, Cedars-Sinai scientists have developed a novel system for quickly and easily obtaining small intestine aspirates. This new system will become integral to the study of the small intestine in relationship to the microbiome.
Have Questions or Need Help?
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, please give us a call or send us a message.
