Microbial biomarkers predictive of host resistance to the helminth Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections in sheep

Applied breeding for host resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes represents a cost-effective yet sustainable strategy for parasitic control. While resistance is under moderate genetic influences, gut microbial components involved in the development of the resistance (RES) or susceptibility (SUS) remains largely unknown. In this study, we characterize the similarity and difference in the structure and metabolic potential of the gut microbiota in our unique ovine populations bred for resistance and susceptibility using a full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based microbiome study with advanced bioinformatic tools, including machine learning and networking algorithms.