Claim: Sarkis Mazmanian, who discovered the first microbial molecule that has direct beneficial effects on mammals, has described and defined a novel paradigm in science whereby the gut microbiome intricately controls the development and function of the mammalian immune system, including the demonstration that B. fragilis can treat experimental inflammatory bowel disease by inducing the activity of protective, regulatory immune cells.
Evidence: In seminal work, Mazmanian discovered the first microbial molecule that has direct beneficial effects on mammals. Mazmanian has described and defined a novel paradigm in science whereby the gut microbiome intricately controls the development and function of the mammalian immune system. These discoveries include the demonstration that B. fragilis can treat experimental inflammatory bowel disease by inducing the activity of protective, regulatory immune cells.