uBiome Awards Grant to University of Northern Colorado to Study the Effect of Kefir on Inflammation in Cancer Survivors

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Through its Microbiome Grant Initiative, uBiome, the leader in microbial genomics, has awarded microbiome research support in study design, planning, sample collection, and analysis to researchers at the University of Northern Colorado led by Dr. Laura K. Stewart, PhD, Professor of Exercise Science, and Peter Smoak, MS, PhD Student in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, to study the effects of kefir consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and the gut microbiome of cancer survivors.

The goal of the study is to explore whether regular kefir consumption by cancer survivors who are undergoing or have recently undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy reduces inflammatory biomarkers, immune function, and monocytes numbers (associated with tumor cell survival) and to describe changes related to these factors by measuring gut dysbiosis and microbiome alterations.

Data collected from the study will include microbiome composition from uBiome's patented kits, body composition, cancer type, stage and treatment history, whole body inflammation, body measurements, medication exposure, diet, as well as depressive and gastric symptoms.

"As diet and the gut microbiome are closely linked, uBiome is proud to support the University of Northern Colorado's fascinating study with a dietary intervention of kefir," said Jessica Richman, PhD, co-founder and CEO of uBiome. "We look forward to the potential insights this study may yield."

Dr. Stewart is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Science in the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. She was previously an Adjunct Assistant/Associate Professor at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (2007-2016) and Assistant/Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University (2007-2014). In 2017, she served as President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine and her research interests include optimizing dietary and physical activity interventions aimed at reducing inflammation and improving cancer survivor quality of life.

About the study, Dr. Stewart said, "This work will allow us to explore the potential link between the microbiome and chronic inflammation in cancer survivors. It will also help us determine whether kefir is a dietary approach with the potential to improve overall health and quality of life in this population. We are grateful for the support from uBiome and look forward to the results."

Through its Microbiome Grant Initiative, uBiome has awarded millions of dollars in research support to hundreds of investigators around the world at renowned academic institutions and not-for-profit research organizations, including Harvard University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, San Francisco, Oxford University, and the University of Sydney. Awards include patented microbiome sequencing kits, as well as research support in study design, planning, sample collection, and analysis. To learn more about our award process or to submit a grant proposal, visit http://www.ubiome.com/microbiome-grant-initiative/.

About uBiome
Founded in 2012, uBiome is the leader in microbial genomics. The Company's mission is to advance the science of the microbiome and make it useful to people. uBiome combines its patented proprietary precision sequencing™ with machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop wellness products, clinical tests, and therapeutic targets. uBiome has filed for over 250 patents on its technology, which includes sample preparation, computational analysis, molecular techniques, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

uBiome's commercial products include SmartGut™, the world's first sequencing-based clinical microbiome test, which identifies microbes in the gut for patients with chronic gut conditions such as IBD, IBS, Crohn's Disease, and ulcerative colitis; SmartJane™, the first sequencing-based women's health screening test, which genotypes all 19 clinically relevant strains of HPV, identifies four common STDs, and surveys more than 20 vaginal microbes associated with bacterial vaginosis and other conditions; and Explorer™, a health and wellness product to understand the role that food and lifestyle can play in wellness.

uBiome's platform has been used by hundreds of thousands of consumers, patients, and doctors and more than 200 research institutions around the world, including the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, San Francisco, Oxford University, and the University of Sydney.

Since its launch, the company has received widespread recognition including CNN 10: Startups to Watch, the IVY Technology Award, CNN Future 30, and was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare in 2016 and in Data Science in 2018, as well as a Technology Pioneer from the World Economic Forum in 2018. For more information, visit http://www.uBiome.com.

SOURCE Ubiome

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