Sharp Minds

Engage with local scientists as they discuss their latest research and discoveries in a friendly, inviting environment. These lectures address hot topics on the first Monday of every month, in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Stay for a special noon documentary showing. 

The Sharp Minds lecture is free with general admission or a Senior Monday ticket. This event is not included with the Annual Explorer Pass. 

 

July 6 - Andrew Bartko

The environment, microbes and their intersection with human health

The concept of spatial heterogeneity, which refers to the uneven distribution of factors over the landscape. This can apply to local environments, such as a city park or even your backyard. For instance, a park might have sunny areas with lots of grass, shady areas with trees, and a wet, muddy patch by a creek. This variation across the landscape is what we call spatial heterogeneity.

Some specific examples of how spatial heterogeneity plays out in local environments is illustrated with plants and animals. A forest might have areas with more sunlight that favor certain plants, while shady areas have different plant life. This variation can create habitats for different animal species as well. Understanding spatial heterogeneity is important for several reasons. It is important for ecology, for instance, how forests are managed. Spatial heterogeneity is also important for appreciating the variety of life that can exist in a small area.

The human microbiome is the community of microbes that live in and on our bodies1. The diversity of our microbiome is important for our health. However, we are losing genes in our gut microbiome due to our industrialization and modern lifestyles2. Our modern lifestyles are more refined and hygienic, thus reducing the exposure to microbes that we get from the environment.

The loss of diversity in our gut microbiome is linked to a rise in chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis3, Crohn's disease4, Type 1 diabetes5, and asthma6. These diseases are now striking younger and younger people.

The importance of nutrition has been known for centuries. However, industrialization and refined food manufacturing has created a new paradigm in human health7. Food is a language that speaks to our genes. The food that we choose to eat can affect how our genes function, and this can affect our health. For instance, the food we eat can influence whether we are prone to disease, strong or weak, and whether we have a long and healthy lifespan or a short life full of disease.

About the Speaker

Dr. Andrew Bartko serves as Executive Director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation (CMI) at UC San Diego, an initiative dedicated to fostering productive collaborations between UC San Diego’s microbiome research community and industry partners. In this role since July 2020, he leads a team focused on expanding academic-industry partnerships to accelerate microbiome discovery and translate findings into innovative, clinically impactful technologies. He holds a concurrent appointment as Professor of Practice in the Departments of Bioengineering and Pediatrics.

Dr. Bartko brings extensive experience in clinical diagnostics product development and has built a substantial intellectual property portfolio comprising 16 patents, several of which have been successfully licensed to industry. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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