To validate their findings, researchers synthesized defensin peptides in the lab and gave them to mice lacking the relevant genes, which protected the animals from the harmful effects of an unhealthy diet. Dr. Masson noted that this opens the door to using peptides as potential treatments for chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and depression, all long linked to microbiome health. However, the study also revealed that while some genetic strains of mice benefited, others worsened, underscoring the need for personalized medicine tailoring therapies to individual genetic and microbiome differences rather than relying on one-size-fits-all treatments.

Working with the Zoological Society of East Anglia and local zoos researchers analyzed gut microbes from animal fecal samples and discovered a wealth of previously unknown Bifidobacterium species, revealing untapped microbial diversity beyond humans. The study found that these microbes have evolved in remarkable ways to suit the dietary and physiological needs of different hosts such as efficiently breaking down complex carbohydrates in mammals like primates, rodents, and pigs while birds showed weaker co-evolution signals, likely due to the ecological challenges of flight shaping their more variable gut microbiota.

Professor Lindsay Hall Chair of Microbiome Research and lead author, highlighted the study’s evolutionary perspective, showing how Bifidobacterium has co-evolved with animal hosts and underscoring the central role of diet in shaping these close relationships. Known for producing short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation, protect the gut lining, and inhibit harmful microbes, Bifidobacterium not only supports digestive health but also nurtures a cooperative microbial ecosystem laying the foundation for long-term gut well-being and offering new opportunities to develop precision probiotics for both humans and animals.

Dr. Magdalena Kujawska, Honorary Research Fellow and first author, emphasized the remarkable diversity and functional potential of Bifidobacterium, particularly in carbohydrate metabolism, noting that these insights could guide the development of targeted prebiotic and probiotic strategies to benefit host health. Building on this, the team plans to investigate the enzymes Bifidobacterium uses to break down different sugars in humans and animals, aiming to harness this knowledge for microbiome based interventions through diet, probiotics, or other therapeutic approaches.

Source: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/microbial-evolution-insights-paves-way-for-precision-probiotics-and-cross-species-health-benefits