PhD Defence David James Mark Barnett

Keywords: Gut Microbiome, Prebiotics, Child health, Molecular Epidemiology

"Perturbing and protecting the infant gut: exploring the impacts of antibiotics and oligosaccharides on gut microbiota and child health"

Barnett investigated how the gut microbiome develops during infancy and how this ecosystem of bacteria and other microorganisms can be influenced by antibiotics and oligosaccharides, carbohydrates found in breastmilk. During infancy, gut bacteria are important for healthy development, influencing both our digestive and immune systems, but they are vulnerable to disturbances, such as those caused by antibiotics.

The researcher explored how breastfeeding, milk composition, and environmental factors shape the gut microbiome by combining studies with large groups of infants and laboratory experiments. He also examined links between differences in the gut microbiome and conditions such as colic, constipation, and asthma. His findings show that while antibiotics can disrupt gut bacteria, oligosaccharides can support their recovery.

This work sheds light on strategies for protecting the infant gut microbiome, which promotes healthier development and lifelong well-being. In addition, Barnett and his colleagues developed software for specialist data analysis, which is now used worldwide in hundreds of other microbiome studies.

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