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                       BIOINFORMATICS COLLOQUIUM
                    School of Computational Sciences
                        George Mason University
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             Dysbiosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

                          Masoumeh Sikaroodi
                       George Mason University

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006
                               4:30 pm
               Verizon Auditorium, Prince William Campus



ABSTRACT
Dysbiosis or altered microflora may play a key role in the pathogenesis 
of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  We demonstrated the utility of 
LH-PCR in the investigation these alterations in the microbial 
community in IBD disease.  Microfloral patterns were initially assessed 
using a 16S rRNA technique (LH –PCR) to determine the qualitative 
changes in the luminal and mucosal intestinal flora.  We subsequently 
cloned and sequenced the LH-PCR amplification products from the 
community 16S rRNA found in patients with IBD and controls to identify 
the microbial species involved in pouchitis.  We have demonstrated 
unique microfloral patterns in IBD.  Through cloning and sequencing of 
these patterns, we have demonstrated the persistence of proinflammatory 
bacteria (Fusobacter and enteric sp.) and the absence of anti-
inflammatory bacteria (Streptococcus sp.) in IBD.  Using the LH-PCR 
technique we have demonstrated dysbiosis in the microbial biofilm 
adherent to the mucosa. Our data provide a direct evidence of the role 
of bacteria in pathogenesis of IBD.

BIOSKETCH
Masoumeh Sikaroodi earned an MS working on Phylogenetic Analysis of 
Lichenicolous Fungi at the Smithsonian Institute(1998).  Currently, she 
is the Laboratory Manager for the ESP Biocomplexity research group and 
is a Ph.D. student at George Mason.