A reverse metabolic approach to weaning: in silico identification of immune-beneficial infant gut bacteria, mining their metabolism for prebiotic feeds and sourcing these feeds in the natural product space.

In this study, we applied a benefit-oriented microbiome research strategy for enhanced early-life immune health. We extended from "classical" to molecular nutrition aiming to identify nutrients, bacteria, and mechanisms that point towards targeted feeding to improve immune health in infants around weaning. Here, we present the systems biology-based approach we used to inform us on the most promising prebiotic combinations known to support growth of beneficial gut bacteria ("probiotics") in the infant gut, thereby favorably promoting development of the immune system.