Journal of IiMER Future directions Multiple studies now show that the gut bacterial composition is abnormal in patients with ME, a lifelimiting disease. These findings are now among many discoveries of biological differences between ME patients and healthy individuals, all of which should dispel any remaining notions that the illness is psychological in nature. Future studies on the eukaryotic microbiome and virome may reveal additional disturbances in the microbial communities of people with the disease. While these gut abnormalities may be a response to some other inciting factor, rather than the basal cause of disease, learning how to ameliorate them could have clinical benefits for patients and help promote recovery, perhaps in conjunction with other treatments. ■ Ludovic Giloteaux Ludovic Giloteaux, PhD, is a Research Associate in Dr Hanson’s lab group. His research addresses the molecular mechanisms of biological processes, ranging from environmental concerns such as the bioremediation of arsenic- and uraniumcontaminated environments to human disease, namely the biological basis of ME. His research uses integrated approaches combining molecular biology and microbiology to study the microbiome in ME, and the effect of the disease on gene expression and proteins from immune cells. Email: lg349@cornell.edu. Further reading 1. Committee on the Diagnostic Criteria for CFS. (2015) Beyond Myalgic Encaphlomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. ISBN 978-0-309-31689-7. http://www. nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2015/MECFS.aspx 2. Navaneetharaja, N., Griffiths, V., Wileman, T. and Carding, S.R. (2016) A role for the intestinal microbiota and virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)? J. Clin. Med. 5(6). pii: E55, http://dx.doi.org/0.3390/jcm5060055 www.investinme.org Maureen Hanson Maureen Hanson, PhD, is Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Her research projects concern gene expression and genetic engineering in plants and the molecular basis of ME/CFS, funded at various times by NSF, USDA, DOE, NIH and several non-profit organizations. Her lab has produced over 180 peer-reviewed articles. She is currently Director of the Cornell Center for Enervating Neuroimmune Disease. Email: mrh5@cornell.edu 3. Nacul, L.C., Lacerda, E.M., Pheby, D. et al. (2011) Prevalence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care. BMC Med. 9, 91, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-9-91 4. Johnston, S., Brenu, E.W., Staines, D. and Marshall-Gradisnik, S. (2013) The prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: a meta-analysis. Clin. Epidemiology 5, 105–110, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S39876 5. Kennedy, G., Underwood, C. and Belch, J.J. (2010) Page 30 of 82
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