Project description:The intestine is a site of diverse functions including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune surveillance, and microbial symbiosis. As such, intestinal homeostasis is vital for overall wellbeing. Faecal microRNAs (miRNAs) offer valuable non-invasive insights into the transcriptional state of the intestine. However, typical faecal miRNA yields and profiles remain incompletely characterised. Here, we develop an optimised protocol for faecal miRNA detection, and describe a reproducible murine faecal miRNA profile across several studies by performing a meta-analysis. By examining faecal miRNA changes during chronic infection with the gastrointestinal helminth, Trichuris muris, we identify the altered expression of miRNAs associated with fibrosis, barrier integrity and wound healing. Fibrosis was confirmed in vivo, suggesting a role for these miRNAs in regulating wound healing during chronic infection where the production of classical wound healing Th2 cytokines are low. Further implementations of this technique can identify novel hypotheses and therapeutic strategies in diverse disease contexts.
Project description:With the increasing demand for donkey production, there has been a growing focus on the breeding of donkeys. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and maturation in donkeys during reproduction remains limited.In this study, we constructed a single-cell RNA dataset to study the single-cell landscape of donkey spermatogenesis and maturation. This method allows us to analyze the cell composition in testicular and epididymal tissue, providing insights into the changes that occur during donkey spermatogenesis and maturation. In addition, different gene expression signatures associated with various spermatogenic cell types were found
Project description:RNAseq and LC/MS metabolomics analysis of C. difficile strain 630 grown in BHIS media with 50% (vol/vol) faecal water added, compared with control BHIS containing only the additional PBS used for prep of Faecal water. Cells grown in biological triplicates to late log phase (T=6h) prior to harvest. Goal was to determine changes in gene expression caused by exposure to Faecal water, and changes in the metabolite profile of faecal water containing medium when incubated with actively growing C. difficile cells
