A game theory model for gut bacterial nutrient utilization strategies during human infancy.

ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that infant gut colonization patterns have been extensively studied, we have limited knowledge about the underlying ecological processes. This particularly relates to the ecological choice of nutrient utilization strategies. The aim of the current study was therefore to compare empirically determined nutrient utilization strategies with that expected from a combinatorial game theory model. Observational analyses for 100 mother-child pairs suggested mother-child transmission of specialists with the potential to use few nutrients. Generalists, on the other hand, with the potential to use many nutrients, peaked at three months of age for the children. The level of generalists was gradually replaced with specialists up to 12 months of age. Game theory simulation revealed a com

SUBMITTER: Angell IL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7423673 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature