The University of Connecticut (UConn), a leader in immunology education for the pharmaceutical industry, educators and health care providers, has available a continuing professional development activity for PhD’s, Medical Liaisons, Research Scientists and Clinical Pharmacists.

Understanding the Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease

The gut microbiome harbors a complex community of microbiota essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and disease prevention. The health of this gut microbiome (symbiosis) is influenced by diet, stress, underlying health conditions and other variables of lifestyle choices.  Maintaining this healthy state is dependent upon the interaction between immune cells, intestinal cells and microbes. This webinar series will discuss optimal gut microbiome health, mechanisms underlying poor microbiome health, disease states which result from this microbiome dysregulation and strategies to restore both microbiome health and to intervene in disease processes.

Mucosal Immunity in the Gut Microbiome
Dr. Andrea Hubbard, Associate Professor; UCONN School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Review the common features of mucosal immunity (tissues, membranes, cells)
2. Identify the important chemokines and cytokines involved in the gastrointestinal mucosa
3. Identify the natural microflora and pathogens found in the gastrointestinal mucosa (the microbiome)
4. Discuss the characteristics of gastrointestinal mucosal immune responses
5. Discuss the mechanisms underlying oral tolerance

The Gut Microbiome in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
Dr. Andrea K. Hubbard, Associate Professor; UCONN School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Review the gut microbiome in symbiosis and its impact on mucosal immunity
2. Review the gut microbiome in dysbiosis and its impact on mucosal immunity
3. Describe the mechanisms underlying changes in gut microbiome leading to susceptibility to gastrointestinal autoimmune (CD) and inflammatory diseases (UC)
4. Describe the mechanisms underlying changes in gut microbiome leading to susceptibility to extra-gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases (IDDM, RA, Celiac Disease, SLE, psoriasis, etc.)
5. Describe the mechanisms underlying changes in gut microbiome leading to susceptibility to systemic inflammatory diseases (NIDDM, metabolic syndrome, obesity, etc.)

The Gut Microbiome in Colon Cancer: Specific Intervention Strategies
Dr. Daniel Rosenberg, Director Colon Cancer Prevention Program, UCONN Health Center, Farmington, CT

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Review the demographics and risk factors for colon cancer
2. Review current therapies for colorectal cancer
3. Discuss the influence of the gut microbiome on the metabolism and biological actions of diet-derived food constituents
4. Indicate how the microbiome affects molecular pathways in the colon that lead to disease
5. Discuss how specific dietary constituents affect the microbiome and colon cancer

The Gut Microbiome in Response to Restorative Therapy

Dr. Andrea K. Hubbard, Associate Professor; UCONN School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Describe changes in gut microbiome in response to stress, diet, antibiotics and other environmental perturbations
2. Describe the impact of genetic susceptibility on the health of the gut microbiome
3. Define the role of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotics in microbiome health
4. Discuss the role of fecal transplantation in restoration of microbiome health
5. Discuss the challenges and pitfalls in maintaining gut microbiome health

DISCLOSURES:  Doctors Hubbard and Rosenberg have nothing to disclose.

GRANT FUNDING: There is no funding for this program