Investigating short- and long-term genome evolution of commensal bacteria using the Oligo-MM community

The functionality of the mammalian intestinal ecosystem is influenced by various host and external factors, affecting the composition, gene expression and evolution of the microbial community over time. In particular, bacterial genome evolution is mostly driven by small additive mutations and horizontal gene transfer (HGT), events which are normally selected for in the course of environmental changes.We have previously established a defined consortium of 12 cultivable murine isolates (Oligo-MM) in a gnotobiotic mouse model to study the role of the gut microbiota and its association with diseases. We now aim to use this model for investigating short- and long-term genome evolution of commensal bacteria, and for delineating microbiota-associated functions and metabolic potential in their natural host.