IDF-IMGC brainstorming meeting

The most valuable microbial bioreactor in agriculture is the rumen; however, up to 15% of the energy in the rumen is converted to methane which is largely exhaled by the animal. If the rumen could be understood sufficiently to control it, all energy would be captured, no methane would be released and conversion of unsaturated fats to saturated and trans unsaturated fats could be explicitly controlled. The opportunity is BIG and no single microbiologist nor microbiology department can do it alone!

Human milk is certainly anecdotally associated with protection from autoimmunity and allergy. Hence the secret to the problem of autoimmunity is likely within the lactation sphere. Imagine if all people who are discouraged from dairy products because of allergies were attracted to dairy products for the prevention of autoimmunity/allergy! The challenge is BIG and no-one should be under the illusion that a single investigator could manage immunity with such dexterity to prevent autoimmunity without side effects.

This condition is so complex we don't even have a good nomenclature, accepted biomarkers, much less mechanisms and certainly no useful preventative approaches…

..and YET Human milk is very well described as providing multiple antiinflammatory mechanisms while at the same time enhancing overall protection of the infant. 

Imagine if everyone today who is at risk of inflammatory diseases was encouraged to use (or even prescribed) specific dairy products for the prevention of inflammation!