Expert reaction to two studies on the gut microbiome and ME/CFS, as published in Cell Host & Microbe*, was given out in the Science Media Centre in a press release issued on 8 February 2023.

The two recently published studies were-

• ‘Multi-‘omics of gut microbiome-host interactions in short- and long-term Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients’ by Xiong et al.
• ‘Deficient butyrate-producing capacity in the gut microbiome is associated with bacterial network disturbances and fatigue symptoms in ME/CFS’ by Guo et al.

The Science Media Centre asked Invest in ME Research's new post-doctorate fellow at the Quadram Institute, Dr Katharine Seton, for expert reaction to these articles.

Katharine commented as follows:

“These studies provide robust evidence for microbial dysbiosis in ME/CFS patients, warranting further investigation into the microbiome to decipher whether microbial dysbiosis is a cause or consequence of ME/CFS.
“The research design of both of these studies expands and improves on previous studies, by including larger cohorts and patient stratification. Findings from Williams’ study compliment findings from an earlier study by Lipkin1 who found reduced levels of F. prausnitzii in ME/CFS patients with IBS but not ME/CFS patients without IBS.
“The authors of both studies have considered and accounted for several variables which confound microbiome data. One confounder which was not explored in either study is the level of exercise undertaken by patient and control groups. Exercise is known to impact the microbiome. Authors have been critical and honest of their studies limitations – Oh mentions that the long-term patient cohort is slightly older than the short-term patient cohort.
“Longitudinal studies will provide clarity on when changes in microbiome composition and function occur.
Therapies targeting the microbiome, such as faecal microbe transplantation, will allow us to understand whether restoration of a healthy microbiome is of clinical benefit in ME/CFS patients, which would indicate a causal relationship between the microbiome and ME/CFS pathogenesis.”
1 Nagy-Szakal, D., Williams, B.L., Mishra, N. et al. Fecal metagenomic profiles in subgroups of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiome 5, 44 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-017-0261-y

It is significant and increasingly recognised that the natural place to go to for comments on research into ME is the centre in Norwich Research Park.

Recently, Dr Katharine Seton completed her PhD that was funded by Invest in ME Research and the University of East Anglia [1].

UK Charity Invest in ME Research recently announced the funding of the first Invest in ME Research Postdoctoral Fellowship for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis [2].
In partnership with Quadram Institute Bioscience this new position has been created to continue and extend research into ME and builds on the foundations already made for a UK/European Centre of Excellence for ME research hub in Norwich Research Park. Katharine now continues and expands her ME research career at Quadram Institute.

Further research is being planned at the centre on top of the existing and increasing pool of research.

This is how the charity is facilitating the building of capacity and awareness that leads to the opening up of new collaborations.

Research into ME requires urgency and investment, not endless discussions when we have already the foundations that have been developed over the years in Norwich Research Park.
The charity has now funded five PhDs and is currently fully funding an FMT clinical trial at Quadram Institute (the only clinical trial for ME currently in the UK, and one of just a few in Europe).
The trial has led to further research being added on and we will augment this in the coming year.

The obvious opportunities at the centre make it the pre-eminent location for funding research into this devastating disease, something that the charity has attempted to explain in its interactions last year with DHSC working group discussions.
The value of this UK/European centre of excellence for ME is clear and it is notable that this has been developed in partnership by patients and carers and a forward-looking research institute and university, with world-class researchers.
The charity looks to continue funding the centre and facilitate the European/international collaboration within the European ME Research Group (EMERG).
The charity will have committed in excess of £2 million on research and supporting activities over the last years.