Traditional diets and the microbiome, metabolome and inflammation in clinical depression

There is accumulating evidence that diet can play a key role in improving mental health. The most compelling evidence so far is for traditional diet patterns that are high in plant foods and low in processed foods. There are several plausible theoretical mechanisms through which diet improves mood from preclinical research, and much enthusiasm about the role of the diet-induced microbiome shifts for enhancing mood, but there is still little to no mechanistic evidence from human studies. Our team are conducting the first ever feeding trial in people with major depressive disorder to test two different dietary patterns for their effect on depressive symptoms. This project will be part-based within our team at the Department of Medicine, who are conducting cutting edge research on diet interventions for gut and mental health disorders. It also involves a ‘study away’ component for one year at University College Cork (UCC) under the supervision of Prof Gerard Clarke. This is an outstanding opportunity to engage with and build networks with global leaders in gut-brain axis research. This project will involve: • Scoping review of traditional diets in depression • Collaborating with our dietary feeding trial team • Analysing human biological samples to enhance understanding of mechanisms through which diet influences mood. This will include metagenomic sequencing of stool samples and analysis of inflammatory cytokines in serum under the supervision of our UCC collaborators • Faecal microbial transplantation studies in animals to interrogate the role of the gut microbiome in influencing mood under the supervision of our UCC collaborators Essential criteria: Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum. Candidates preferably with a nutrition and/or dietetic background AND with laboratory experience are encouraged to apply.