Viyal Soni

Project Title: FitBiota: “Examining the emergence of a fit gut microbiome in young adults and the potential impacts on gut health”

Overview: Native of South Africa, I hold a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Abu Dhabi University, where I developed a strong interest in Biochemistry, Genetics, and Bioinformatics during my placement. This passion led me to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry at University College Cork, in collaboration with Teagasc, focusing on the gut microbiome of young adults in relation to fitness. My research, titled Fitbiota, employs shotgun metagenomics to comprehensively profile microbial community composition, functional potential, and viral dynamics in elite training adolescents. By analysing metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) and viral contigs, I aim to uncover microbial adaptations linked to fitness. Additionally, I integrate targeted metabolomics to assess short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and bile acid (BA) profiles, providing insight into microbial contributions to host metabolism.

To explore causality, I will use an animal model where a ‘fit’ gut microbiome is transplanted into mice subjected to different dietary interventions. This will allow me to assess how diet influences the stability and function of the transplanted microbiome and whether it maintains its fitness-associated characteristics. By combining multi-omics approaches with experimental models, my goal is to define the key microbial and metabolic signatures of a ‘fit’ gut microbiome and its potential role in host fitness. Ultimately, this research could inform microbiome-targeted interventions and personalized nutrition strategies to optimize performance and gut health.

Programme Area: Food Biosciences Department

Supervisors: Prof. Orla O’Sullivan and Dr. Susan A. Joyce

Location: Moorepark Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy , Co. Cork 

Funding Source: SFI