Microbiome Science for the Future: A Discussion with Dr. Jack Gilbert

Have you ever wondered what microbiome testing looks like? In this episode, co-hosts Dr Siobhan McCormack and Dr Sheena Fraser chat to guest Dr Alena Pribyl from Microba Life Sciences, after sending off their poo samples to be analysed. *Please note* - We apologise for the audio quality in this episode. We are changing hosting platforms and aim to smooth out the quality in future releases. What We Cover: The process start-to-finish of both co-hosts testing journey: the sample taking, mailing, storage and breaking down the process that is used to analyse their samples Metagenomic analysis at Microba Life Sciences and the positives and pitfalls in the industry The expansion of this field, how it's developed and grown over the years and things to look out for if you are interested in testing Dr Alena Pribyl's expertise and input at every stage of process The publications and science behind the process and beyond

While "gut health" is a ubiquitous buzzword in the wellness industry, it has historically lacked a clear scientific definition. In this episode, host Dr. Siobhan McCormack sits down with world-renowned expert Professor Maria Marco from UC Davis and the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). They discuss the new scientific consensus defining gut health, the crucial differences between fermented foods and probiotics, and what we can actually learn from direct-to-consumer stool tests. Plus, Siobhan gets a behind-the-scenes look at a rigorous clinical trial investigating the health impacts of kimchi. What We Cover: Defining Gut Health: How a global expert panel established the first consensus definition, moving beyond just the microbiome to include six complex domains. Symptoms vs. Biomarkers: Why you can still achieve "gut health" even with a chronic but well-managed gut disorder. The Microbiome Testing Reality Check: The limitations of commercial stool tests and why they currently lack the clinical utility to guide personalized medical treatment. Fermented Foods vs. Probiotics: The true distinction between foods fermented for taste and preservation, versus specific live microbial strains proven to deliver targeted health benefits. Inside the Marco Lab: A look at the complexities of nutritional science, including an ongoing clinical trial comparing the physiological effects of kimchi to unfermented cabbage.

While we often think of sleep and diet as separate pillars of health, our internal biological clocks and gut microbiome intricately connect them both. In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Siobhan McCormack and Dr. Sheena Fraser dive into the fascinating, bidirectional relationship between circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and gut health. They discuss how our physiology adapts to 24-hour light and dark cycles, the metabolic havoc caused by social jet lag and shift work, and how our gut microbes actually operate on their own daily schedules. Plus, Siobhan and Sheena share practical, evidence-based chrononutrition strategies and explore how targeted dietary patterns, probiotics, and fermented foods can significantly boost your mood and sleep architecture. What We Cover: The Circadian Symphony: How light, dark, and our body's internal peripheral clocks orchestrate everything from hormone release (like cortisol and melatonin) to digestion. Sleep Architecture & Mental Health: The critical role of REM and deep sleep, and how just one night of sleep deprivation increases impulsivity and degrades mood. Chrononutrition: Why when you eat is just as important as what you eat, and how meal timing acts as a major environmental cue for your gut microbes. Social Jet Lag & Shift Work: The metabolic consequences of disrupted sleep cycles, including increased risks for Type 2 Diabetes, and actionable strategies to regain circadian balance. Nutrients & Microbes for Sleep: Exploring the science behind specific dietary protocols, the power of Lactobacillus, and how fermented foods support restorative rest. Scientific References & Further Reading: Conti, F. (2025). ‘Dietary protocols to promote and improve restful sleep: A narrative review’. Nutrition Reviews Dobielska, M. et al. (2025). ‘Association between fermented food consumption and sleep quality under psychological stress: Prospective cohort study’. Food Science & Nutrition. Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). 'Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials'. Sleep Medicine Reviews Hepsomali, P., & Groeger, J.A. (2021). 'Diet, sleep and mental health: Insights from the Uk Biobank Study'. Nutrients Reid, M., Omlin, X., Espie, C., Sharman, R., Tamm, S., & Kyle, S. (2022). 'The effect of sleep continuity disruption on multimodal emotion processing and regulation'. Journal of Sleep Research Marx, W., Manger, S.H., et al. (2023). 'Clinical guidelines for the use of lifestyle-based mental health care in major depressive disorder'. World Journal of Biological Psychiatry Vetter, C. et al. (2018). 'Night Shift Work, Genetic Risk, and Type 2 Diabetes in the UK Biobank'. Diabetes Care

While the gut microbiome often steals the spotlight, the microorganisms residing in our respiratory tract play a vital role in our health and immunity. In this episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser sits down with microbial ecologist Dr. Michael Cox to explore the fascinating, complex, and relatively uncharted territory of the lung microbiome. They discuss how the lung microbiome fundamentally differs from the gut, the daily flux of bacteria entering and leaving our airways, and the profound impacts of environmental factors like air pollution, smoking, vaping, and household cleaning products. Plus, Dr. Cox shares the massive challenges scientists face when studying these deep-tissue microbes and what the future of respiratory medicine might look like. What We Cover: From Seawater to Sputum: Using marine ecology techniques to decode human respiratory biology. Exploring the lungs' dynamic balance of microaspiration and mucociliary clearance. Meet the core lung bacteria (Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella) and the puzzle of anaerobes in an oxygen-rich space. Environmental Disruptors: How pollution, smoking, and vaping inflame and alter the lung microbiome. Hidden Dangers of VOCs: The silent impact of everyday cleaning sprays and aerosols on respiratory health. Diet, Exercise, & Epigenetics: The systemic benefits of a high-fiber diet and fitness for chronic lung conditions like COPD and asthma.

Join Dr. Siobhan McCormack as she welcomes one of the top early-life microbiome scientists in the field, Professor Chris Stewart. Discover the origins of your gut microbiome, the biological superpowers of breast milk, and how lab-grown "organoids" are uncovering surprising ways to protect preterm babies. What We Cover: The Genesis of You: How birth mode and early feeding shape our microbial foundations. Inside the Stewart Lab: Using lab-grown human "organoids" to study host-microbe interactions in real-time. The Magic of HMOs: Why mothers produce complex sugars (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) that feed gut microbes instead of the baby. The "Good" Clostridium: Groundbreaking research on a specific Clostridium perfringens strain that thrives on HMOs to protect preterm infants from gut diseases. Probiotics & Preemies: Navigating FDA regulations and the future of personalized medicine in neonatal care.