This project is an investigation of the implications of research on ancient and contemporary human microbiomes for the social and ancestral identities of indigenous people. It will engage indigenous communities on the U.S. Southern Plains (Apache, Caddo, and Kiowa nations) and in the Andean region of Peru (Aymara, Quechua and Uros-descended communities). Community members will take part in focus groups, individual survey interviews, and public meetings to discuss the ways in which local variations in human microbiomes related to differences in environment, lifestyle and culture may have implications for health disparities, population histories, and social and ancestral identities. Local communities also will be engaged in discussions about how to conduct ethically and culturally appropriate microbiome research using contemporary samples from some members.

Public Health Relevance

This project will advance our understanding of the relationship between social and ancestral identities and biology as well as develop a model for engaging indigenous communities in human microbiome studies. Both those goals will contribute to reducing health disparities in populations with histories of exploitation and economic and political disadvantages.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HG005172-03
Application #
8107490
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-GGG-E (52))
Program Officer
Mcewen, Jean
Project Start
2009-07-10
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2011-07-01
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$347,408
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oklahoma Norman
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
848348348
City
Norman
State
OK
Country
United States
Zip Code
73019
Ozga, Andrew T; Sankaranarayanan, Krithivasan; Tito, Raúl Y et al. (2016) Oral microbiome diversity among Cheyenne and Arapaho individuals from Oklahoma. Am J Phys Anthropol 161:321-7
Obregon-Tito, Alexandra J; Tito, Raul Y; Metcalf, Jessica et al. (2015) Subsistence strategies in traditional societies distinguish gut microbiomes. Nat Commun 6:6505
Sankaranarayanan, Krithivasan; Ozga, Andrew T; Warinner, Christina et al. (2015) Gut Microbiome Diversity among Cheyenne and Arapaho Individuals from Western Oklahoma. Curr Biol 25:3161-9
Warinner, Christina; Rodrigues, João F Matias; Vyas, Rounak et al. (2014) Pathogens and host immunity in the ancient human oral cavity. Nat Genet 46:336-44
Tito, Raul Y; Knights, Dan; Metcalf, Jessica et al. (2012) Insights from characterizing extinct human gut microbiomes. PLoS One 7:e51146
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