Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medicine. More specifically the invention relates to the use of synergistic probiotic bacteria as intervention for health. In particular, the present invention provides a strain of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and a bacterial strain which has one or more of the characteristics of: (i) being acetate producing, (ii) being lactate consuming and (iii) having the ability to be an electron acceptor, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with reduced butyrate levels or a disease associated with reduced or low numbers of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medicine. More specifically the invention relates to the use of synergistic probiotic bacteria as intervention for health. In particular, the present invention provides a strain of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and a bacterial strain which has one or more of the characteristics of: (i) being acetate producing, (ii) being lactate consuming and (iii) having the ability to be an electron acceptor, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with reduced butyrate levels or a disease associated with reduced or low numbers of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to growth of bacteria. More specifically the invention relates to a method for oxidative environment adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and their use in developing new probiotics. In particular, the present invention provides a method for adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and selection of more oxygen tolerant anaerobic microorganisms, said method comprising the steps of culturing said microorganisms with a stepwise dual induction of oxidative stress via applied voltage and oxygen diffusion, and a stepwise change of anti-oxidant/oxidized counterpart concentration ratio to adjust the redox state. New strains are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medicine. More specifically the invention relates to the use of synergistic probiotic bacteria as intervention for health. In particular, the present invention provides a strain of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and a bacterial strain which has one or more of the characteristics of: (i) being acetate producing, (ii) being lactate consuming and (iii) having the ability to be an electron acceptor, for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with reduced butyrate levels or a disease associated with reduced or low numbers of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to growth of bacteria. More specifically the invention relates to a method for oxidative environment adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and their use in developing new probiotics. In particular, the present invention provides a method for adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and selection of more oxygen tolerant anaerobic microorganisms, said method comprising the steps of culturing said microorganisms with a stepwise dual induction of oxidative stress via applied voltage and oxygen diffusion, and a stepwise change of anti-oxidant/oxidized counterpart concentration ratio to adjust the redox state. New strains are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to growth of bacteria. More specifically the invention relates to a method for oxidative environment adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and their use in developing new probiotics. In particular, the present invention provides a method for adaptation of anaerobic microorganisms and selection of more oxygen tolerant anaerobic microorganisms, said method comprising the steps of culturing said microorganisms with a stepwise dual induction of oxidative stress via applied voltage and oxygen diffusion, and a stepwise change of anti-oxidant/oxidized counterpart concentration ratio to adjust the redox state. New strains are also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a subject is suffering from, or having a risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance is disclosed. The method comprises determining an amount of imidazole propionate in a body sample from the subject. The method also comprises determining whether the subject is suffering from, or having a risk of suffering from, type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance based on the determined amount of imidazole propionate.

Abstract: A product for use in the treatment of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory bowel disease comprising at least one isolated bacterial strain from the species Prevotellaceae, wherein the strain is selected from the group consisting of Prevotella copri, Prevotella stercorea, Prevotella histicola, Prevotella ruminicola, Prevotella Bryantii 25A and Prevotella distasonis. The product may be a food product.

Abstract: A product for use in the treatment of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, alzheimers disease and inflammatory bowel disease comprising at least one isolated bacterial strain from the species Prevotellaceae, wherein the strain is selected from the group consisting of Prevotella copri, Prevotella stercorea, Prevotella histicola, Prevotella ruminicola, Prevotella Bryantii 25A and Prevotella distasonis. The product may be a food product.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of metagenomics to identify a compositional or functional alteration of the gut metagenome related to atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic associated disease. Also provided are methods to identify a person having risk for atherosclerosis and associated diseases by determining the presence of specific bacterial groups or species and also metabolic functions in the person's gut microbiota and to use such information to develop a prevention or treatment strategy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by determining the presence or absence of specific genes, gene clusters, genera or species of bacteria in the person's gastrointestinal microbiota. More specifically the invention relates to a model to identify an individual having or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) using metagenomic clusters (MGCs), wherein said model is characterized by using different metagenomic clusters for different population groups. Also provided is the use of such a model in the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Abstract: A product for use in the treatment of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, alzheimers disease and inflammatory bowel disease comprising at least one isolated bacterial strain from the species Prevotellaceae, wherein the strain is selected from the group consisting of Prevotella copri, Prevotella stercorea, Prevotella histicola, Prevotella ruminicola, Prevotella Bryantii 25A and Prevotella distasonis. The product may be a food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by determining the presence or absence of specific genes, gene clusters, genera or species of bacteria in the person's gastrointestinal microbiota. More specifically the invention relates to a model to identify an individual having or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) using metagenomic clusters (MGCs), wherein said model is characterised by using different metagenomic clusters for different population groups. Also provided is the use of such a model in the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of metagenomics to identify a compositional or functional alteration of the gut metagenome related to atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic associated disease. Also provided are methods to identify a person having risk for atherosclerosis and associated diseases by determining the presence of specific bacterial groups or species and also metabolic functions in the person's gut microbiota and to use such information to develop a prevention or treatment strategy.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to modulate fat storage and weight loss in a subject. In certain aspects of the invention, fat storage (adiposity) and weight loss is modulated by altering the subject's gastrointestinal microbiota population. In other aspects of the invention, fat storage and weight loss is modulated by altering the amount of or the activity of the protein, fasting-induced adipocyte factor, in the subject.