Workshop on Best Practices for Studies of Diet and the Intestinal Microbiome
Bethesda, MD, USA
June 13, 2017 – June 14, 2017
Natcher Conference Center - NIH Campus

The purpose of this workshop is to improve rigor and reproducibility in research on the colonic microbiome, identify important dietary information that should be reported and parameters to consider in design of studies, particularly for clinical studies on diet and the intestinal microbiome. A summary for the research community will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information on this workshop can be found on the NIH Website.

Agenda – 13 June

Welcome and Introductions
David​ Klurfeld, USDA ARS
Gregory G. Germino, M.D., Deputy Director, NIDDK

Session I – Characterization of dietary fibers and other nutrients that feed the microbiome

Keynote Talk: Chemical and physical characteristics of dietary fibers that affect their utilization by the gut microbiota and the host
George Fahey, University of Illinois

The broad range of structures of dietary fibers and their specificity to bacterial fermentation
Bruce Hamaker, Purdue University

Fiber-microbiome effects on health and disease: connecting real foods with specific microbial responses
Eric Martens, University of Michigan

Session II – Animal Models

Keynote Talk: Diet-microbiota dynamics: leveraging animal models to hasten translatable discovery
Justin Sonnenburg

The role of gut microbial and host circadian rhythms in metabolic health and disease
Eugene Chang, University of Chicago

Prebiotic action of food polyphenols on gut microbiota to alleviate obesity-linked inflammatory diseases
Andre Marette, University of Laval

Food additives and microbiota interactions in the etiology of intestinal inflammation
Benoit Chassaing, Georgia State University

Utility of Non-Rodent Models for Gastrointestinal Microbiome Research
Kelly Swanson, University of Illinois

General Discussion on nutrients affecting microbiome and animal models

Agenda-  14 June
Welcome and Introductions
David Klurfeld, USDA ARS
Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P., Director, NIDDK

Session III -In Vitro Models

Culturing gut microbial ecosystems in vitro: using bioreactors as model systems
Emma Allen-Vercoe, University of Guelph

Effect of host diet on fecal fermentation outcomes
Devin Rose, University of Nebraska

General Discussion on in vitro models

Session IV – Human Studies

Keynote Talk: Impact of diet on the human gut microbiome and its metabolome: relevance to health and disease
Gary Wu

What are the ideal fiber requirements for humans?
Stephen O’Keefe, University of Pittsburgh

Effect of diet on gut microbiota
Maria Saarela, VTT Finland

Nutrients vs diets: using controlled feeding studies to evaluate diet-microbiome interactions in humans
Johanna Lampe, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Beyond dietary fiber: foods, food additives, and supplements that alter gut bacteria
Joanne Slavin, University of Minnesota

Regulatory considerations in diet and microbiome studies
Barbara Schneeman, FDA (retired)

General Discussion: identification of critical dietary issues for design and reporting, terminology (e.g., fiber, prebiotics), research gaps that should be addressed in all studies of diet and gut microbiome, any issues remaining from previous discussions. Challenges in relating models to human situation.