Integrating Microbial Ecology and Molecular Approaches to Unravel the Biology of Prevotellaceae

Abstract

The family Prevotellaceae is an integral part of the human microbiota, particularly in industrialized regions of the globe.
The reasons for the significantly decreased prevalence and relative abundance of this family in Westernized nations are not well understood, but they are hypothesized to involve dietary differences and other yet-to-be-determined factors. A critical roadblock to studying members of the Prevotellaceae, particularly its most common member Segatella copri, has been the lack of comprehensive isolate collections and genetic tools to perform
functional studies.
We have overcome these hurdles in recent years by isolating novel
strains that have allowed us to uncover an underappreciated
taxonomic diversity, leading to the recognition of the Segatella copri species complex. In parallel, we developed a recombineering-based approach to target specific genes in S. copri and have explored this tool to identify essential colonization factors. Current studies focus on understanding the negative correlation between Prevotellaceae and Bacteroidaceae in the human gut, as well as how the transmission of these bacteria between hosts is
modulated. Together, these efforts contribute to understanding the role of prevalent and often dominant gut commensals.