THE MILK EXOSOME - BACTERIAL VESICLE - HOST HEALTH TRIAD

Objective 1. Assess the effects of MEs on OMV and CMV biogenesis and cargo content in human gut bacteria. Objective 1 tests the hypothesis that MEs alter the secretion of OMVs and CMVs and their cargos content in fecal (mixed) cultures ex vivo and in bacterial monocultures.Objective 2. Assess the bioavailability and tissue distribution of OMVs and CMVs in mice. Objective 2 tests the hypothesis that bacterial EVs, secreted by human gut bacteria, and their RNA and protein cargos are bioavailable and accumulate in peripheral tissues.Objective 3. Determine whether OMVs and CMVs play a causal role in mediating effects of ME on SLM. Objective 3 tests the hypothesis that depletion of bacterial EVs abolishes effects of MEs on spatial learning and memory in mice.