Carotenoid Modifying Enzymes, Terpene Synthases
Conditions
Brief summary
In this study, the investigators will collect fecal samples from healthy adults. The investigators will extract DNA from these fecal samples and use microbiological techniques to determine whether this DNA encodes enzymes that can react with certain chemicals called terpenoids and carotenoids. The investigators will additionally collect dietary information via a questionnaire.
Interventions
OTHERNo Intervention: Observational Cohort
No intervention
Sponsors
North Carolina State University
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Body Mass index \<25
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnant * Taken antibiotics or antifungals in the past 3 months * Taken probiotic supplements in the past 3 months * Diarrhea in the past month
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of unique gut metagenomic enzymes with carotenoid-modifying activities for each participant. | Day 1 | Subjects' fecal metagenomic DNA will be extracted from their fecal sample, and random fragments of this metagenomic DNA will be inserted into an E. coli expression vector. This vector library will be transformed into an E. coli strain that will change color if a carotenoid-modifying gene is present. We expect to obtain about one million E. coli clones per participant. These clones will be spread on agar plates, and the colonies exhibiting different colors will be recovered and sequenced. The sequences of each participant will be collected and annotated to determine putative carotenoid-modifying enzymes, and the number of unique enzymes will be saved. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed