New research programme exploring probiotics and the developing infant microbiome
Researchers at University College Cork’s APC Microbiome Ireland and INFANT Research Centre, together with Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and Teagasc, have begun a new research programme exploring how probiotics may influence the developing gut microbiome during the early years of life.
The first clinical trial, the SMILE Study, is focused on very early infancy and will investigate two specific probiotic strains and their potential to support the infant gut microbiome and healthy growth.
The first months of life represent an important window for this research. The infant microbiome is highly dynamic during the first year, developing alongside the gut and immune system.
Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland and research lead for the programme, said:
“The first months of life are a critically important period for the development of the gut microbiome. Our research has shown just how dynamic the microbiome is during the first year of life. SMILE gives us an opportunity to understand how specific probiotic interventions may influence that process.”
The collaboration combines APC’s expertise and technologies in microbiome science with INFANT and CUMH’s clinical and newborn health expertise.
Professor Eugene Dempsey, INFANT Clinical Lead for Neonatal Research and Consultant Neonatologist at CUMH, said:
“By bringing together expertise in newborn health and microbiome science, we have an opportunity to investigate these questions directly with families and build a much better understanding of the role probiotics may play at different stages of early development. This is the kind of research that is only possible through strong collaboration between clinical and scientific teams.”
SMILE is the first of three planned clinical trials examining probiotic interventions at different stages of early childhood, creating an opportunity to understand how the microbiome responds at key points in a child’s development.
