“I am currently engaged in research on the gut microbiome of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, focusing on understanding microbial alterations associated with the disease and exploring strategies for microbiome modulation.

I am scientist at the Indian organisation Scientific Knowledge for Ageing and Neurological Ailment Research Trust (SKAN-RT), currently visiting Professor Arjan Narbard’s group for one year as part of our ongoing collaboration.

The link between the gut microbiome and Parkinson’s disease

My motivation for choosing this project stems from the growing evidence linking and imbalance in gut microbiota to Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by both motor and non-motor symptoms.

Specific bacterial communities and their metabolites appear linked to neuroinflammation and α-synuclein aggregation,  hallmarks of the disease.

My work involves characterising the gut microbial composition in PD patients in UK and in the future I’ll be working with samples from the Indian population too. I am identifying key bacterial species focusing on sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) contributing to disease progression, and investigating targeted interventions to restore microbial balance.

During my visit I isolated many species of SRB including a novel species of Eubacterium callanderi from a Parkinson’s patient.

By characterising these bacterial communities and their interactions, I hope to identify specific microbial dysbiosis patterns contributing to neurodegeneration.

The potential of bacteriophages for Parkinson’s disease

As part of this research, I am exploring bacteriophage therapy as a potential approach to selectively eliminate disease-causing bacteria with a focus on SRB species such as Desulfovibrio which have been implicated in Parkinsons disease.

Bacteriophage therapy uses bacteriophages which are viruses that kill specific bacteria.

With the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Phage therapy offers a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in targeting microbial imbalances associated with Parkinsons disease .

I am currently isolating phages that selectively eliminate disease-causing bacteria while preserving beneficial microbiota.

To achieve a comprehensive understanding of gut microbiota involvement in Parkinsons disease, I will integrate multi-omics approaches, including metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics. These techniques will allow for the identification of key microbial alterations, metabolic byproducts, and bacterial gene expression patterns associated with Parkinsons disease.

Collaborating across the globe to develop therapies

The Scientific Knowledge for Ageing and Neurological Ailment Research Trust (SKAN-RT) plays a central role in this research.

SKAN-RT, an Indian research organisation dedicated to advancing scientific understanding in aging and neurological disorders, provides critical support in exploring the connection between gut microbiota and Parkinsons disease .

In 2023 SKAN-RT began a collaboration with the Quadram Institute focused on gut health and developing therapies that alleviate ageing and neurological diseases.

At the Quadram Institute, I have been using culturable approach and working on identifying sulphate reducing bacteria, with support from Dr Lizbeth Sayavedra and bacteriophage screening with the help of Dr Melinda Mayer.

I’m coming towards the end of my one-year visit to the Quadram Institute. Its been a very rewarding experience where I have been exposed to advanced research in the area of gut microbiome. When I leave, I’ll continue working on the project in India and a colleague from SKAN-RT will visit the Quadram Institute to work onthe interaction between the bacteria I have isolated and human tissues.

Through SKAN-RT’s extensive expertise in neurological research and microbiome modulation, this project is positioned to explore innovative therapeutic strategies with the potential to improve patient outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases.

Career path to studying the gut microbiome

Before I joined SKAN-RT, I pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biotechnology, where I developed a strong foundation in microbial research. During my Master’s program, I worked on the effects of algal lectins on siderophore-producing bacteria. This research exposed me to the fascinating role of bacteria in iron acquisition and their potential applications, sparking my deep interest in bacterial physiology and interactions.

Building on this interest, I enrolled in a Ph.D. program where my research focused on biofilm-forming bacteria and their diverse applications. This research further solidified my enthusiasm for applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology.

I then transitioned into the field of bacteriophages and gut microbiome research.

I joined the Scientific Knowledge for Ageing and Neurological Ailment Research Trust (SKAN-RT), to work on bacteriophage therapy and investigating the complex interactions between the gut microbiome and neurological disorders. This progression in my research journey reflects my continuous commitment to understanding microbial dynamics and their translational applications in health and disease.”

Yogesh Shouche, Director of Research at SKAN concludes, “SKAN’s research interest in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders aligns well with the science strategy of the Quadram Institute and we are excited about the work that Madhav has initiated and going forward we plan to this collaboration with further joint projects.”