Name of supervisor：Yuji Ohashi
Position：Professor
researchmap
Main research theme：
１）Research on the ecology of intestinal bacteria.
２）Research on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and host health.
３）Research on the impact of probiotics and prebiotics on the intestinal environment.
Research keywords：Intestinal Microbiota, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Functional food
E-mail：ohashi(@mark)nvlu.ac.jp
Research
The interaction between microorganisms, particularly intestinal bacteria, and host health are studied in this laboratory. Numerous bacteria are harbored in the large intestine. These bacteria construct the intestinal microbiota. Their metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acid, and the bacteria themselves have a major impact on human health It is well known that the intestinal microbiota changes depending on food and lifestyle habits, which can also affect health. The ecology of intestinal microbiota, the dietary components and lifestyle habits that affect the intestinal flora, and how these affect the health of the host, are studied in this laboratory. In addition, based on the results obtained from these studies, developing of functional foods such as probiotics and prebiotics are studied.
Guidance policy for graduate students
Our laboratory conducts basic research on intestinal bacteria, including analysis of their ecology, substrate utilization, and metabolites. In these researches, not only bacterial culture methods but also molecular biological methods are used. Our laboratory has many years of experience in researching intestinal microbiota, and is able to handle obligate-anaerobes, which are difficult and time-consuming to culture. Gene-targeted molecular biological methods can also be analyzed using various methods, such as clone library, temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis, real-time PCR, and metagenomic analysis. Analysis of metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids is also possible. It is necessary to utilize these methods effectively in research. The knowledge and skills to use these effectively in your research is needed. Additionally, knowledge of the nutritional physiology and immunity of human and animal hosts is also required. Statistical analysis of the obtained experimental results is also required. In this way, our laboratory’s research requires a wide range of knowledge across the life sciences. Students in the graduate school are taught to acquire a wide range of knowledge and research skills through exposure to many papers.
Publications
１．Amounts and species of probiotic lactic acid bacteria affect stimulation of short-chain fatty acid production in fecal batch culture. Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health, 2023, 42, 100-103.
２．Analysis of Clostridium cluster XI bacteria in human feces. Bioscience of microbiota, food and health, 2019, 38, 65-68.
３．Detection of antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of young adult Japanese. Bioscience of microbiota, food and health, 2017, 36, 151-154.
４．Consumption of partially hydrolyzed guar gum stimulates Bifidobacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria in the human large intestine Beneficial Microbes, 2015, 6, 451-455.
５．Health-beneficial effects of probiotics: Its mode of action. Animal Science Journal, 2009, 80, 361-371.
