Congratulations to our IMPACTT Director and Platform 1 Lead Dr. Kathy McCoy and our Education Co-Lead Dr. Braedon McDonald on this publication!
McDonald B, McCoy KD. Maternal microbiota in pregnancy and early life. Science. 2019;365(6457):984-985. doi:10.1126/science.aay0618Science 06 Sep 2019
Abstract
A microbial bond is shared between mother and child that renders the age-old dichotomy of “nature versus nurture” obsolete. Molded by both host biology and the physical relationship between mother and child, this microbial connection is formed at the earliest moments of life when the newborn’s skin and mucosal surfaces are seeded with microorganisms that inhabit the mother’s body, referred to as the maternal microbiota. This initial microbial exposure establishes an early-life microbiota that engages in a mutualistic relationship with the host, and leaves a lasting impression on childhood development that can control the balance between health and disease. The quest to understand this microbial bond has uncovered exciting new discoveries about host–microbial mutualism and immune development in early life, while simultaneously revolutionizing our understanding of how certain traits and diseases are passed down through generations.
