Human metagenome Raw sequence reads. human metagenome

The various biological causes for preterm deliveries have remained elusive. Multiple lines of evidence, generated with new cultivation free molecular tools, are consistent with the hypothesis that there can be in utero colonization of the fetal gastrointestinal tract by microbes derived from the maternal microbiota, followed by an immune response towards these microbes that contributes to the onset of premature delivery. Evidence that recently has emerged challenges the established dogma that the fetus remains sterile until delivery. Limited preliminary supportive data are available from studies performed in the US and Europe. The overall goals of this project are to determine i) potential correlations between in utero gut colonization of the fetus and preterm delivery and ii) associations between distortions in normal gut microbiota development after birth and disease risk.