DISCOVERY SCIENCE
In studies of the gut microbiome of healthy individuals, Professor Oluf Pedersen
and Assistant Professor Yong Fan at UCPH identified and characterized
prevalent bacterial strains that release two bioactive polypeptides
fulfilling criteria for being the first-of-its-kind peptide hormones
produced by and operating within the human holobiont
Both hormones circulate in human blood at high picomolar concentrations
reaching target organs where they have pleiotropic effects
In addition, the peptides signal via the Vagus nerve to the central nervous system
In studies of the gut microbiome of healthy individuals, Professor Oluf Pedersen and Assistant Professor Yong Fan at UCPH identified and characterized prevalent bacterial strains that release two bioactive polypeptides fulfilling criteria for being the first-of-its-kind peptide hormones produced by and operating within the human holobiont
Both hormones circulate in human blood at high picomolar concentrations reaching target organs where they have pleiotropic effects
In addition, the peptides signal via the Vagus nerve to the central nervous system