News Blog
November 26, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in mSphere
132. Mejia M, Ottinger S, Vrbanac A, Babu P, Zulk J, Moorshead D, Bode L, Nizet V, Patras K (2021) Human milk oligosaccharides reduce murine group B Streptococcus vaginal colonization with minimal impact on the vaginal microbiota. mSphere (Accepted) [Research Article]
November 23, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Nutrients
131. Hoch D, Brandl W, Strutz J, Köfeler HC, van Poppel MNM, Bode L, Hiden U, Desoye G, Jantscher-Krenn E* (2021) Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Cord Blood are Altered in Gestational Diabetes and Stimulate Feto-placental Angiogenesis in vitro. Nutrients (Accepted) [Research Article] *former postdoc
October 22, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Current Developments in Nutrition
130. Pell LG, Ohuma EO, Yonemitsu C, Loutet MG, Ahmed T, Mahmud AA, Azad MB, Bode L, Roth DE (2021) The human milk oligosaccharide profile of lactating women in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Current Developments in Nutrition (Accepted) [Research Article]
October 22, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Breastfeeding Medicine
129. Neville J, Pawlak R, Chang M, Furst A, Bode L, Perrin M (2021) A cross-sectional assessment of human milk oligosaccharide composition of vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian mothers. Breastfeeding Medicine (Accepted) [Research Article]
October 12, 2021
Bode lab and other MOMI CORE researchers visit UC Health Milk Bank to explore research needs and opportunites
September 24, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
128. Chung S, Bode L, Hall DA (2021) Point-of-care human milk testing for maternal secretor status. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (Accepted) [Research Article]
September 24, 2021
Bode lab part of newly awarded NIH Center Grant on Health Disparities
Congratulations to our long-time collaborator Dr. Michael Goran for receiving a P50 center grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Southern California Center for Chronic Health Disparities in Latino Families and Children (SCC-CHDLFC).
The overall goal of this new center is to establish a regional and comprehensive coalition of academic, clinical and community stakeholders to address the co-occurring disparities in obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that are disproportionally affecting Latinos.
Lars will serve as a mentor for new center's Investigator Development Core (IDC).
September 20, 2021
Manuscript accepted in Pediatric Research
127. Krogstad P, Contreras D, Ng H, Tobin NH, Chambers CD, Bertrand K, Bode L, Aldrovandi GM (2021) No Infectious SARS-CoV-2 in Breast Milk From a Cohort of 110 Lactating Women. Pediatric Research (Accepted) [Research Article]
September 20, 2021
Bode lab receives NIH award to study HMOs and atherosclerosis
The Bode lab has received a research grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore associations between human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and atherosclerosis risk factors in infancy and early childhood and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which leads to heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death worldwide. Based on the intriguing observation that breastfed infants are at lower risk of developing CVD later in life, we propose to identify which components in human breastmilk contribute to the beneficial effects of breastfeeding. Knowledge gained from the proposed project will form the basis for safe and inexpensive early life interventions to prevent CVD later in life, and help address the substantial and increasing health and economic costs of CVD.
The project builds on strong preliminary data from preclinical models showing that exposure to specific HMOs during the breastfeeding period lowers atherosclerosis risk later in life.
The project leverages extraordinary resources of the Barwon Infant Study (BIS), one of the most comprehensive pre-birth cohort studies of cardiometabolic and inflammatory phenotypes in the world and forms a collaboartion with BIS investigators Dr. Richard Saffery and Dr. David Burgner.
September 1, 2021
Manuscript accepted in Frontiers in Immunology
126. Seppo AE, Choudhury R, Pizzarello C, Fridy S, Rajani PS, Stern J, Martina C, Yonemitsu C, Bode L, Bu K, Tamburini S, Piras E, Wallach DS, Allen M, Looney RJ, Clemente JC, Thakar J, Jarvinen-Seppo K (2021) Traditional farming lifestyle in Old Older Mennonites modulates human milk composition. Frontiers in Immunology (Accepted) [Research Article]
August 20, 2021
Bode lab welcomes Dr. Veronique Demers-Mathieu as new Postdoctoral Fellow in collaboration with Dr. Mamata Sivagnanam
Veronique is a scientific researcher in neonatal immunology, infectious diseases, and nutrition. Her recent research has focused on the impact of COVID-19 infection on the secretion of antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 in human milk.
Veronique will be co-mentored by Dr. Bode and Dr. Mamata Sivagnanam and study the role of human milk bioactives on intestinal cell biology. Veronique says that she is excited about this postdoc position to learn to use intestinal organoids to model the immature gut and increase the knowledge on the role of human milk bioactive components in neonatal gut development. Her ultimate goal is to become a professor and develop her own independent research program to improve mucosal immunity and reduce infectious diseases in preterm and term infants.
In her spare time, Vero loves trail running, rock climbing, surfing, and backpacking.
August 17, 2021
Bode lab part of newly awarded NIH R01 Research Grant
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a new R01 Research Grant to the University of North Carolina - Greensboro to investigate donor human milk composition globally to develop effective strategies for the nutritional care of preterm infants. The Bode lab is excited to contribute to this important project led by our long-term collaborator Dr. Maryanne Perrin.
August 4, 2021
Bode lab welcomes Kristija (Kristy) Sejane as new Staff Research Associate
Kristy is a recent Biology graduate with a concentration in Physiology from San Francisco State University. She has worked in the fitness field for the past few years, where she gained profound
knowledge in biomechanics and human anatomy. Kristy is very excited to transition to the research field, where she hopes to contribute her skills to the Bode Lab and expand her
knowledge.
Outside of work, Kristy enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring new places with her dog Marvin.
July 27, 2021
Bode lab welcomes Chloe Sermet as new Staff Research Associate
Chloe attended Chapman University for her undergraduate education where she studied psychology and medical sciences. For the past year, she has been working as a researcher in the field of biochemistry and food science. Her research focused on enhancing the activity of an esterase (a type of enzyme) for applications in the food industry. She has a passion for research in the fields of human biology and nutrition and is excited to apply both of those in the Bode Lab.
In her spare time, Chloe enjoys cooking, backpacking, playing sports and taking her dog Loki to the dog beach.
July 22, 2021
Bode lab welcomes Hailey Hentschel as new Staff Research Associate
Hailey was raised in Michigan and is excited to be joining us here in sunny California. She attended Michigan State University (MSU) for her undergraduate education; after earning her degree, she spent four years conducting Pharmacology/Toxicology research at the MSU In Vivo Facility. Hailey has a passion for animal health and good research practice, and is happy to be combining these in her role with the Bode Lab.
In her spare time, Hailey enjoys cooking, photography, digital painting, and being walked by her Siberian Husky.
July 22, 2021
Manuscript accepted in The Journal of Nutrition
125. Ferreira ALL, Alves-Santos NH, Freitas-Costa NC, Santos PPT, Batalha MA, Cunha Figueiredo AC, Yonemitsu C, Manivong N, Furst A, Bode L, Kac G (2021) Associations between human milk oligosaccharides at one month and infant development throughout the first year of life in a Brazilian cohort. J Nutr (Accepted) [Research Article]
July 20, 2021
Manuscript accepted in The Journal of Nutrition
124. LeMay-Nedjelski L, Yonemitsu C, Asbury MR, Butcher J, Ley SH, Hanley AJ, Kiss A, Unger S, Copeland JK, Wang PW, Stintzi A, Bode L , O’Connor DL (2021) Oligosaccharides and microbiota in human milk are inter-related at three months postpartum in a cohort of women with a high prevalence of gestational impaired glucose tolerance. J Nutr (Accepted) [Research Article]
July 4, 2021
Manuscript accepted in Nature Communications
123. Bao B, Kellman BP, Chiang AWT, Zhang Y, Sorrentino JT, York AK, Mohammad MA, Haymond MW, Bode L, Lewis NE (2021) Correcting for sparsity and interdependence in glycomics by accounting for glycan biosynthesis. Nature Communications (Accepted) [Research Article]
June 30, 2021
Book chapter in World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics
Lars contributes a book chapter on "Oligosaccharides in Human Milk" to the 2nd Edition of World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics edited by Koletzko et al., which is scheduled to be released end of July 2021.
June 26, 2021
Bode lab Summer BBQ
It's been a loooong time since we all saw each other in person because of the pandemic. Finally, finally we were able to get together again for a summer BBQ to celebrate graduations, birthdays, new jobs, etc. etc.
June 22-24, 2021
Bode lab participates in FASEB SRC on Human Milk Bioactives
Lars co-chairs the 4th FASEB SRC "Origins and Benefits of Biologically Active Components in Human Milk" Conference - online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ana and Annalee participate, listening to sessions and interacting with speakers and poster presenters while analyzing milk samples in the lab.
June 1, 2021
Bode lab part of newly awarded NIH R01 Research Grant
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a new R01 Research Grant to Columbia University to study the impact of a Human Milk Oligosaccharide-based synbiotic in HIV-exposed uninfected children. The Bode lab is excited to contribute to this important intervention trial led by Dr. Rupak Shivakoti.
May 24, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Microorganisms
122. Pace RM, Williams JE, Robertson B, Lackey KA, Meehan CL, Price WJ, Foster JA, Sellen DW, Kamau-Mbuthia EW, Kamundia EW, Mbugua S, Moore SE, Prentice AM, Kita DG, Kvist LJ, Otoo GE, Ruiz L, Rodríguez JM, Pareja RG, McGuire MA, Bode L, McGuire MK (2021) Variation in human milk composition is related to differences in milk and infant fecal microbial communities. Microorganisms (Accepted) [Research Article]
May 12, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in ISME Communications
121. Laursen MF, Pekmez CT, Larsson M, Lind MV, Yonemitsu C, Larnkjaer A, Molgaard C, Bode L, Dragsted LO, Michaelsen KF, Licht TR, Bahl MI (2021) Maternal m 1 ilk microbiota and oligosaccharides contribute to the infant gut microbiota assembly. ISME Communications (Accepted) [Research Article]
May 8, 2021
Bloom Yoga at Carlsbad Flower Fields
Bode lab gets together in person (!) for Bloom Yoga at the Carlsbad Flower Fields and picnic in the park...
April 1, 2021
Bode lab part of newly awarded NIH R01 Research Grant
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a new R01 Research Grant to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine to study the role of the human milk metabolome and microbiome on the transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV). The Bode lab is excited to contribute to this important project led by Dr. Tatiana Marquez Lago.
March 24, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Allergy
120. Seppo AE, Bu K, Jumabaeva M, Thakar J, Choudhury RA, Yonemitsu C, Bode L, Martina CA, Allen M, Tamburini S, Piras E, Wallach DS, Looney RJ, Clemente JC, Järvinen KM (2021) Gut Microbiome Enrichment with Bifidobacteria longum ssp. infantis in Old Order Mennonites at Low Risk for Early Childhood Atopic Diseases. Allergy (Accepted) [Research Article]
March 5, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
119. Ruiz L, Rubio CA, Carral CG, Jimenez Quintana E, Lackey KA, McGuire MK, Meehan CL, Foster JA, Sellen DW, Kamau EW, Kamundia EW, Mbugua S, Moore SE, Prentice AM, Gindola D, Otoo GE, Pareja RG, Bode L, McGuire MA, Williams J, Rodríguez JM (2021) Comparison of two approaches for the metataxonomic analysis of the human milk microbiome. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Accepted)
February 9, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
118. Zhou R, Llorente C, Cao J, Zaramela LS, Zeng S, Gao B, Li SZ, Welch RD, Huang FQ, Qi LQ, Pan C, Huang Y, Zhou P, Beussen I, Zhang Y, Bryam G, Fiehn O, Wang L, Liu EH, Yu RT, Downes M, Evans RM, Goglin K, Fouts DE, Brenner DA, Bode L, Fan X, Zengler K, Schnabl B (2021) Intestinal α1-2-fucosylation contributes to obesity and steatohepatitis in mice. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Accepted) [Research Article]
February 4, 2021
Letter on COVID-19 vaccines and breastfeeding published in The Lancet
"To improve maternal–infant health and maintain public confidence in vaccines in handling this pandemic and preparing for the next, vaccine manufacturers and regulators must work closely with
lactation scientists, infectious disease specialists, and public health experts to assess vaccine safety in breastfeeding women at early stages of product development."
"It is encouraging that many nations, including England, are now adopting a more positive tone around vaccine recommendations for breastfeeding women, but in many cases the finer points of the
recommendation will still lie with individual providers or institutions."
Click Here to read the letter.
February 3, 2021
Review article on COVID-19 and breastfeeding published in Frontiers
"The current pandemic has uncovered the urgent and immediate need to invest in research that establishes the safety of human milk and safety at crisis onset. Otherwise, the gap in knowledge leads to fear-based confusion, misinformation, and the amplified risk of breastfeeding cessation despite the well-documented benefits of human milk and breastfeeding."
Click Here to read the article.
January 28, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Nutrients
117. Saben JL, Sims, CR, Abraham A, Bode L, Andres A (2021) Human milk oligosaccharide concentrations and infant intakes are associated with maternal overweight and obesity and predict infant growth. Nutrients (Accepted) [Research Article]
January 19, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in mSystems
116. Rosa F, Matazel K, Elolimy A, Bowlin A, Williams K, Adams S, Bode L, Yeruva L (2021) Human milk-fed piglets have distinct small intestine and circulatory metabolome profile relative to milk formula-fed piglets. mSystems (Accepted) [Research Article]
January 19, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Nutrients
115. Larson JK, Bode L (2021) Obesogenic Programming Effects during Lactation: A Narrative Review and Conceptual Model Focusing on Underlying Mechanisms and Promising Future Research Avenues. Nutrients (Accepted) [Review]
January 12, 2021
Manuscript accepted for publication in Lancet
114. Merewood A, Bode L, Davanzo R, Perez-Escamilla R (2021) Breastfeed or be vaccinated – An unreasonable recommendation. Lancet (Accepted) [Opinion]
January 1, 2021
2020 Recap
2020 has been a challenging year for many of us. Nonetheless, we were able to continue our research on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and also initiated urgent studies related to the coronavirus pandemic and breastfeeding.
Here are some of the highlights:
- We published a total of 29 (!) peer-reviewed manuscripts in 2020.
- As part of our COVID-19 emergency response, we were able to show that SARS-CoV-2 is not transmitted via human milk and that Holder pasteurization inactivates the virus should human milk ever get contaminated (Chambers et al. JAMA 324(13): 1347-1348).
- We published a Perspective article in Science, highlighting the need for more research to better understand the mother-milk-infant triad with important opportunities to imrpove maternal-child health (Bode et al. Science 367(6482): 1070-1072).
- Our work on maternal exercise, HMOs, and offspring metabolic phenotype was selected as top 5 Best of Nature Metabolism 2020.
- Lars presented the lab's research at several conferences around the world - both in person and online.
- Lars was listed in the top 2% of most cited scientists in the world in the category "Nutrition and Dietetics".
- Annalee got accepted to the UC San Diego Masters in Clinical Research graduate program.
- Janneiry, Joae, and Sadaf graduated! - Congratulations!
- Sadaf got hired as Staff Research Associate.
- At the beginning of the year we went on an escape room adventure and a frantic quest to resurrect a radioactive professor.
- The week before the pandemic closed everything down, Master Chef Annalee invited the lab for a 'make-your-own' ravioli pasta party.
- Due to the pandemic our annual 'Melting Pot' fondue holiday party was hosted online.
Dedicated to Research on Human Milk Oligosaccharides
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