最新消息-核心設施國際合作

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The National Human Microbiome Core Facility Plan is an integrated project funded by the National Science and Technology Council in 2023. The project aims to establish the first domestic fecal microbiota database that combines clinical big data with standardized gut microbiome analysis. It also includes a microbiota-metabolome integration database, an automated reporting and analysis platform, and disease-specific animal cell models. The outcomes of this project are expected to be published in international journals and to be used for patent applications, significantly elevating Taiwan's academic standing in the field of gut microbiota. The gut-liver axis disease animal models developed will contribute to disease diagnosis and prevention for the people of Taiwan, reducing healthcare costs and family economic burdens.

This project brings together four crucial microbiome research centers, including Microbial Culturomics, Metabolomics, Animal Models, and Microbiota Transplantation Preparation. It collaborates with executive teams from institutions such as National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Bioresource Collection and Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Affiliated Hospital, National Taiwan University School of Pharmacy, and multiple medical centers. Together, they provide a seamless and comprehensive technical service chain to meet the core and essential technological needs for microbiome-related research and industrial development in Taiwan.

PROJECT ARCHITECTURE

The core platform integrates the expertise of various centers and adopts a client-centric approach to connect academia, research institutions, hospitals, and companies. By establishing partnership and referral services, it offers comprehensive microbiome analysis services ranging from clinical research to animal cell models. The management center oversees service administration and education and training. Each sub-project develops analysis and big data databases according to their specialties and forms service teams as needed, providing professional data analysis services and consulting. This platform aims to support the domestic industry's needs for microbiome technology.

Project Goals

• Establish a Local Microbiome Bank (or Information Platform)

Establish a Healthcare Microbiome Bank and Implement a Medical Team and Environment for Microbiota Transplantation Therapy, as well as Develop a Healthcare Microbiome Data Repository System. Collect Comprehensive Local Microbiome Resources for Domestic Gut Microbiome Research. Through Advanced Microbiome Cultivation and Omics Technologies, Systematically Preserve Local Microbiota, Establish a Representative Gut Microbiome Bank for Healthy Individuals in Taiwan, and Further Develop Standard Models for Microbiota Therapies for Various Indications, Laying the Crucial Foundation for Translational Microbiome Applications.

• Promote the Application of Microbiome Metabolites in the Medical and Healthcare Industries

By providing high-quality analysis of microbiota metabolites, we aim to understand the role of microbiota metabolites in health and disease. This will further facilitate the application of gut microbiota metabolites in the medical and health industries. In addition to offering analytical services to meet domestic academic and industry needs, we will foster innovative interdisciplinary research collaborations. We will work with domestic medical centers and medical researchers to develop a rapid microbiota analysis technique using a group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as indicators. The specific approach involves collecting gas samples from participants during microbiota analysis, conducting VOC analysis, and building a database. Utilizing the VOC data from 5,000 sub-healthy individuals already established by Yang-Ming and National Chiao Tung Universities, we will perform data analysis and comparisons to establish an intelligent predictive model.

• Promoting the development and collaboration of microbiota research between academia and industry

We provide an advanced microbiota research environment to elevate preclinical testing standards across government, academia, and industry, bridging the gap to clinical trials. This aims to foster the development and collaboration of microbiota research between academia and industry, leading to the creation of novel diagnostic techniques, treatment methods, vaccine development, and influential precision translational and public health research. One of the primary objectives of establishing this core facility is to create a fecal microbiota database. This database not only preserves fecal microbiota but, more importantly, it collects accurate individual gut microbiota data and links it to corresponding physical and mental health conditions, and even genetic information. The entire process, from the collection and preservation of fecal samples at the front end to sample processing, sequencing, and the backend database linking various disease and healthy populations, offers rich potential for collaborative research between academia and industry and future development opportunities.

• Integrate resources and platforms for the development of microbiota research technologies

We offer advanced and forward-looking microbiota colonization technology services to promote the development of microbiota research within the country, expediting the development process of domestic live biotherapeutic products and other microbiota-based pharmaceuticals. Leveraging big data computation and AI model analysis, we delve deeper into understanding various microbiota compositions, verifying the beneficial or harmful effects of microbiota on the human body. We combine microbiota genomics technology to decode the genomic sequences of various microbiota, explore metabolic pathways, and then translate these findings into medical insights through animal and cellular experiments. This process aims to identify key molecules that can enhance the immune system.