Systems-level metabolism of the altered Schaedler flora, a complete gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: The altered Schaedler flora (ASF) is a model microbial community with both in vivo and in vitro relevance. Here we provide the first characterization of the ASF community in vitro, independent of a murine host. We compared the functional genetic content of the ASF to wild murine metagenomes and found that the ASF functionally represents wild microbiomes better than random consortia of similar taxonomic composition. We developed a chemically defined medium that supported growth of seven of the eight ASF members. To elucidate the metabolic capabilities of these ASF species-including potential for interactions such as cross-feeding-we performed a spent media screen and analyzed the results through dynamic growth measurements and non-targeted metabolic profiling. We found that cross-feeding is

SUBMITTER: Biggs MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5270571 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature