Impact of Host-Microbiome Interactions on Mammalian Olfaction and Reproduction

This project explores how microbial communities impact their host’s biological functions. Specifically, we aim to understand the influence of the gut and nasal microbiomes on mammalian reproduction. The approach builds upon our recent finding that environmentally-induced male dysbiosis is detrimental for reproductive fitness and our expertise with molecular olfaction, a key component of reproductive behaviour. By combining gnotobiotic mouse models with single-cell transcriptomic approaches, we aim to bring novel insights into how changing microbial environments influence an animal’s perception of the chemical surrounding, its reproductive output and the health of the progeny.