Gene adaptations in Tanzanian hominid gut microbiomes

In this project, we expand our previous analysis of Hominid gut microbiomes across Tanzania , by looking at host-related variation in genes involved in diet degradation (carbohydrate metabolism). Furthermore, we investigate if the genetic variation leads to structural differences in proteins and if such differences are reflecting functionality.

We have selected interesting gene candidates, from common human gut bacteria, and found that genetic variation, correlating with host population, was increasing with host population differences. Additionally, for some of these genes the genetic differences were predicted to lead to amino acid substitutions in or near the substrate binding site of carbohydrate degrading enzymes. Currently, we are extracting these genes in the lab to eventually investigate functional differences between gene products from different host populations.

Marie Louise Jespersen’s publication: https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2025.2484385