The microbe and Bechet's Disease: Reflection on Imperial College London Session

Humans have more than 100 trillion microbiomes, most of which are stored in the intestines. Their functions include the production of vitamins (B12), thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin K (which is used for blood regulation). Furthermore, they are essential in human development, immunity and nutrition. Disfunction in the microbiome are found to be related to autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. These disease causing microbes accumulate over time and it changes gene activity and metabolic processes. These changes then result in abnormal immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body; we perceive this as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are passed down in families since the family’s microbiome is inherited which is different to DNA inheritance. The study of the microbiome, it’s inheritance, and functions come under the HMP (the human microbiome project) that aims to study humans as a superorganism (consisting of human and non-human cells). The project has a goal of defining the microbiome and characterizing the metagenome (the combined genome of microbes). Their findings include information on intracellular microbes; found to slow innate immune defenses by dysregulating the vitamin D nuclear receptor, allowing pathogens to accumulate in tissue and blood.

The Imperial seminar named ‘The microbiome and Bechet’s Disease’ portrayed evidence connecting the human microbiome and the disease. Bechet’s disease is a rare autoimmune disease that causes blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) throughout the body with symptoms including; mouth sores, eye-inflammation, skin rashes, lesions, and genital sores.

In reflection, I understand that the seminar did not have the objective of explaining a concept to the audience, rather it aimed to portray collaboration between researchers. Ergo it consisted mainly of showing data and findings from researchers around the world such as Professor Agul, Professor Fumio Kaneko, Professor Farida Fortune and Professor Gonca Mumco. They had common points such as how environmental factors like diet can affect the microbe and they differentiated in how they collected their data and on which symptoms they focused on. For instance, through Profesor Fumio’s presentation, I learned about the pathergy test since his focus was on skin rashes. A pathergy test is when a needle is inserted into the skin of the forearm. Professionals then wait 24-28 hours to observe developments of possible inflammatory papules or pustules. These are caused by the accumulation of pus at the surface of the skin.

Image citation: Springer Link Pathergy test reaction from a person with Bechet’s disease.

Overall, I think I will be able to take this information forward when I study immunology and it was interesting to see how researchers share and collaborate on a topic. However, I feel like I should attend sessions that better suit my requirements. As a highschool student, I wasn’t able to comprehend the majority of the information. It would be more effective if I find seminars that are aimed for people of my level of education.