Ranjita Sengupta

Citation

Thesis Title
A comparative study of two Lactobacillus fermentum strains that show opposing effects on intestinal barrier integrity

Read article at Massey Research Online:

The human intestine is host to trillions of microbes, forming a complex ecosystem of symbiotic as well as pathogenic micro-organisms. Lactobacilli are generally considered to be safe bacteria known for their beneficial effects on human health. But not all strains of the Lactobacillus species are health promoting. Ms Sengupta''swork focused on examining two different strains of the same bacteria which showed differential effects on intestinal barrier integrity. The study examined the possibility that these differences in effects were caused by the interaction of bacterial secreted and/or cell-associated components with the cells comprising the outer intestinal layer. She found that both bacterial cell-surface, associated as well as secreted components affect barrier integrity through independent mechanisms. 

Supervisors
Dr Wc McNabb
Dr Rachel Anderson
Dr Eric Altermann
Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan
Dr Nicole Roy