G. Vasconcelos Pereira

This study identifies TonB4 and TonB6 as functionally redundant in polysaccharide uptake by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, with TonB4 being conserved across Bacteroides species.

The paper shows that low dietary fiber promotes colitis in genetically susceptible mice by eroding mucus, while a fiber-free diet increases anti-inflammatory metabolites, highlighting microbial function over taxa in IBD regulation.

This study identifies a conserved system in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii that enables efficient cross-feeding on β-mannan-derived oligosaccharides, enhancing butyrate production in the human gut.

This study identifies a single sulfatase essential for colonic mucin O-glycan metabolism and intestinal colonization by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.

The paper shows gut bacteria have extensively adapted to digest seaweed polysaccharides through gene transfer from marine bacteria, revealing widespread metabolic plasticity in the human gut microbiome.