Harriet Lane

• Bsc (Hons) Biochemistry
• Understanding fructan breakdown by key members of the human gut microbiota

Our gut contains many different bacteria, some of these, such as Bifidobacteria spp., provide benefits to human health. Fructans are complex carbohydrates from the human diet that are used preferentially as nutrients (prebiotics) by Bifidobacteria, although the mechanisms by which they access these complex molecules are unclear. To further our understanding of this important process the student will use molecular biology and biochemical techniques to study the enzymes used by Bifidobacterium adolescentis to break down fructans. The results of this work will provide insight into the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota use complex carbohydrates and may be useful in the future for the design of new health promoting prebiotic molecules.

Funding source: BBRSC