ON DEMAND WEBINAR

On Demand: Designing Microbiome Studies to Uncover Host and Microbial Metabolites Associated with Energy Balance

Gut microbiome research is illuminating the intricate role of microbial communities in weight regulation, offering insights that redefine our understanding of obesity and metabolic health. Studies have revealed that the composition and function of the gut microbiota can influence energy extraction from the diet, regulate appetite and satiety signals, and modulate inflammation and metabolism.

Metabolomics can characterize the metabolites present in the gut and provide insights into the function of the microbiome and how it affects the host’s metabolism. It enables scientists to identify unique metabolic signatures associated with specific gut microbiota compositions. By analyzing the metabolites present in the gut, researchers can gain insights into the metabolic activities of different microbial communities.

In this webinar, Karen Corbin, Ph.D., R.D., Associate Investigator at AdventHealth Translational Research Institute in Orlando, Florida, discusses her research on the gut microbiome and its impact on health and metabolism and how she used both targeted and untargeted metabolomics to better understand how the gut microbiome contributed to human energy balance. Dr. Corbin outlines her methodology, including the study design and metabolomics analyses, and detail topline results of her research.

You will learn:

- How the gut microbiome impacts obesity and energy balance.
- Key methodological considerations for study design and analyses
- Benefits of targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches
- Considerations for advancing the field of gut microbiome research

Program

Presenter

Title/Abstract

Dr. Karen D. Corbin, Ph.D., R.D

Designing Microbiome Studies to Uncover Microbial Metabolites Associated with Obesity and Energy Balance.
There are complex interactions between host, diet, and the gut microbiome that impact health and metabolism. Obesity is a disease that at its foundation is driven by positive energy balance. We used a combination of targeted and untargeted metabolomics to better understand how the gut microbiome contributed to human energy balance. We implemented a randomized crossover-controlled feeding study where all assessments were done while study participants were housed in our metabolic ward. We deeply phenotyped both host and microbes. We uncovered that there is a diet-dependent relationship between the gut microbiome and human energy balance that can be characterized, in part, by host and microbial metabolites.
This section of the webinar includes:

A brief introduction to the relationship between the gut microbiome and obesity/energy balance.
A brief description of methodology- study design and metabolomics analyses
Topline results connecting the gut microbiome and energy balance

Heino Heyman, Ph.D.

Routine Solutions for Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomics - Analyses, Bioinformatics, Interpretive Insights
Achieving fast, accurate, and reproducible metabolomic data can be a challenging task that requires investing in people, technology, and novel methods to derive functional insights.

Dr. Karen D. Corbin, Ph.D., R.D

This section of the webinar includes:

Results of the metabolomics analysis and how they expanded our understanding of the interactions between diet, host, and the gut microbiome.
Key methodological considerations
Future directions to advance the field

Heino Heyman, Ph.D.

Questions & Answers

Speakers

K

L

Karen D. Corbin, Ph.D.. R.D.

Associate Investigator, AdventHealth Translational Research Institute.

Website | LinkedIn | X

Karen D. Corbin, PhD, RD is an Associate Investigator at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute (TRI) and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak®. Her career aspirations are twofold: to advance clinically relevant research that is poised to transform patient care and to lead scientific communication initiatives.

Dr. Corbin’s scientific career is focused on human nutrition and metabolism. In particular, she explores the mechanisms, such as the gut microbiome, that drive individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as obesity, metabolism dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and diabetes. Her research portfolio includes both investigator-initiated and industry clinical-translational studies focused on novel pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutics.

Dr. Corbin came to the TRI after a 3-year term as a Research Assistant Professor at UNC Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition. She conducted both her faculty and post-doctoral research at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, NC. Her research was dedicated to understanding individual differences nutrient requirements and how those differences influenced metabolic diseases. Dr. Corbin earned her doctorate degree in Molecular Medicine at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2008. She became a Registered Dietitian in 1998 after completing her dietetic internship at the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, FL. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Food Science in 1997 at Florida State University.

Dr. Corbin is also an expert in scientific storytelling. After spending decades in the worlds of healthcare and science, she realized that a fundamental gap exists for translating ideas into solutions: the inability of some scientists and other “geeks” to deliver information in a way that is impactful, relevant and inspires action. This led Dr. Corbin to hypothesize that by helping scientists communicate complex scientific information in a way that is accessible to a broad range of audiences, she could indirectly contribute to the innovation that will solve many of society’s most pressing problems. To achieve this, she created Geeks That Speak® with a mission to inspire and empower scientists to become powerful storytellers.

Karen D. Corbin, PhD, RD is an Associate Investigator at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute (TRI) and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak®. Her career aspirations are

twofold: to advance clinically relevant research that is poised to transform patient care and to lead scientific communication initiatives.