A BENEO-Orafti Newsletter - Spring 2008 - Nr. 18:
Prebiotics and healthy ageing

Interview: Advancements in the exploration of gut microbiota and impact on human health

In this issue we present an interview with Prof. Dr. Gérard Corthier who is Director of the Unit of Ecology and Physiology of the Digestive Tract (UEPSD), INRA, France.

Prof. Dr. Gérard Corthier has pursued a wide range of scientific interests over his years as a microbiologist. These include defining the microbial ecology of the digestive tract, investigating the diversity and functions of the gut microbiota, and testing genetically-modified micro-organisms. He has also researched the impact of probiotic bacteria on health and metabolism in humans and animals. This interest has now expanded to include the importance of prebiotics in human health. The goal of the UEPSD unit which he currently leads is to improve the knowledge of diet-microbe-host interactions and their impact on intestinal microbial ecology and digestive functions with the ultimate aim of helping to prevent human diseases. Recent investigations by UEPSD team members range from defining the ecology of the human digestive tract microbiota to looking at how these bacteria influence biological processes in the body, e.g. immune function. As well as his role as a scientist and author of many publications, Prof. Dr. Corthier serves on a number of committees including those aligned to the French Society of Nutrition and the French Institute of Nutrition. He was also, until 2006, a member of the French Scientific Expert Committee (AFSSA) which makes recommendations to government. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, bird watching and organising hiking for the French Alpine Club.

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