Infant gut microbiota is shaped by early exposures such as birth by C-section that delays the transfer of maternal gut bacteria, normally transmitted to the newborn during the vaginal birth and assumably contributing to the normal postnatal immunological development. However, the potential health effects of these maternal bacteria or lack of thereof has never been studied in humans similarly to the anticipated effect of host genetics on early colonization. This project will study the effect of child genotype and maternal strains on early gut microbiota development and health and the effect of key maternal strains in early immunological development. The results will enhance the current understanding on the effectors and health consequences of the early gut microbiota development.

2025

2029