About
Professor Sven Pettersson, MD & PhD, is a cell biologist focusing on microbiome mediated mechanisms regulating mammalian host physiology. Ongoing projects seek to decipher microbiome mediated signalling pathways and metabolites that support cell metabolism relevant to neurons and muscle cells.
Prof Pettersson is a strong proponent of the holobiont concept, which considers human beings as a composite of several different microorganisms that together with the mammalian genome collectively determine body, mind and function. He is highly recognized for discovering a link between the microbial communities in our gut and the development and function of the brain. Ongoing work is directed towards the identification of signaling pathways an microbial metabolites contributing ot gut microbe-brain communication.
Relevant Publications
Lahiri, S., Kim, H., Garcia-Perez, I., … Pettersson, S. (2019). The gut microbioa influences skeletal muscle mass & function in mice. Science Translational Medicine, 11(502), pii: eaan5662. DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aan5662
Kundu P, Blache E, … Pettersson S. (2017). Our gut microbiome: the evolving inner self. Cell. 171(7):1481-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.11.024.
Braniste V, Al-Asmakh M, … Pettersson S. (2014). The indigenous gut microbiota regulate permeability of the blood-brain barrier in mice. Science Translation Medicine, 6(266), 266er7.
Nicholson JK, Holmes E, … Pettersson S (2012). Host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions. Science, 336(6086), 1262-67.
Diaz Heijtz R, Wang S, … Pettersson S (2011). Normal gut microbiota modulates brain development and behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3047-52.
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CIFAR is a registered charitable organization supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.