Host–Microbe Dialogue

The APC’s Host-Microbe Dialogue theme explores the network of signalling interactions among the microbiota, host immune-inflammatory responses and metabolism and the impact of diet on each component of this triad. The gut microbiota influences human health and susceptibility to most common diseases, including immune-allergic, colon cancer and various metabolic diseases, such as obesity-related disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Each of these chronic disorders has an immune or inflammatory component, and indeed, the aging process itself, is associated with increases in low-grade inflammation (inflammageing). This low-grade inflammation, and the diseases associated with it, is a significant healthcare burden in developed countries, and represents a multi-billion € opportunity for companies in the food, pharmaceutical and diagnostic sectors.

The APC has built a global reputation in inflammatory diseases, particularly in functional gastrointestinal conditions, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in inflammation of the aged. The challenge now is to develop outputs, such as new robust microbial and other biomarkers of disease risk and to manipulate disease risk by targeting the microbiota using designer foods and/or pharmabiotics. This is a strategically important area both in the context of the ageing population and evolving economic and public health policies.

	Sinead C. Corr Title: Dr. Position: APC Faculty Department: Moyne Institute of Preventative Medicine; Trinity College Dublin Email: corrsc@tcd.ie Phone: +353 1 8961195
	Noel Caplice Title: Professor Position: APC Faculty Department: Medicine, Centre Vascular Biology / CUH Email: n.caplice@ucc.ie Phone: 4901329
	Marcus Claesson Title: Dr. Position: Funded Investigator Department: Microbiology Email: m.claesson@ucc.ie Phone: 4901390
	David Clarke Title: Dr Position: Funded Investigator Department: Microbiology Email: David.clarke@ucc.ie Phone: 4903624
	Cormac Gahan Title: Professor Position: Funded Investigator Department: Microbiology Email: c.gahan@ucc.ie Phone: 4901363
	Liam Fanning Title: Dr Position: Funded Investigator Department: Medicine Email: l.fanning@ucc.ie Phone:
	Liam O’Mahony Title: Professor Position: Funded Investigator Department: Microbiology Email: liam.omahony@ucc.ie Phone: 4901316
	Susan Joyce Title: Dr Position: APC Faculty Department: School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Email: s.joyce@ucc.ie Phone: 4901723/1343
	John MacSharry Title: Dr Position: APC Faculty Department: Medicine Email: j.macsharry@ucc.ie Phone: 4902642
	Ken Nally Title: Dr Position: Funded Investigator Department: Biochemistry Email: k.nally@ucc.ie Phone: 4901302
	Mark Tangney Title: Professor Position: APC Faculty Department: Cancer Research @ UCC Email: m.tangney@ucc.ie Phone: 4901372