Pr. Moisés Alvarez (Mexican winner 2019): Microbiota & colorectal cancer
To celebrate #WorldMicrobiomeDay, the Biocodex Microbiota Institute is handing the floor to national grant winners.
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Microbiota research focusses in novel technique of bioprinting bacterial communities to recreate microbiota-like environments. His team is developing in-vitro platforms to study the interplay between human microbiota and colorectal cancer.
In your point of view, what is the biggest breakthrough related to microbiota these last years?
In my opinion, the most important breakthrough in microbiota research in the last years is the recognition of the role of our intestinal microbiota in very different aspects of our health, including mental health. The realization that the balance or disbalance in the microbiota defines health or disease systemically and not only at the human intestine is a major discovery of modern science.
Do you think there is a growing interest on microbiota recently?
Most definitely. Human microbiota and microbiota research are themes that are gaining great inertia both among general publics and among the scientific community.
Do you have a tip for taking care of our microbiota?
A tip that I want to share is to maintain the microbiota balance and diversity is to regularly consume portions of fermented foods in your diet: i.e., yogurt, wine, beer, kombucha, pickles, among others.
Do you have an anecdote, or a surprising fact/story to share on your research?
An anecdote from our microbiota research is that we recently recruit a new graduate student into our microbiota research project funded by Biocodex Foundation, and he remarkably and quickly evolved, through his involvement in the project, from a very quiet person into an amazingly articulated presenter and a very resourceful experimentalist
What is for you the most fascinating bacteria?
Escherichia coli is my favorite microbiota bacteria. E. coli is an extremely versatile and flexible bacteria: E. coli strains can be either regular commensals or pathogens in our intestine. E. coli is also the most widely used organism in molecular biology and probably the most studied and well known living entity.
Do you have an inspirational person in mind? (in the field of research? / Medical? / in general?)
John F. Kennedy is a person that I really admire. He exemplifies leadership, strength, and commitment with purpose. I truly enjoy his speech at Rice University, where he describes why and how the first mission to the moon will take place.
