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Chris Stewart

@stewartlab.bsky.social
685 followers 558 following 42 posts

Professor of Human Microbiome Research at Newcastle University. Using 'omics and organoids to study diet-microbe-host interaction. Microbiome; Microbiology; preterm infant; necrotising enterocolitis; inflammatory bowel disease; cancer. He/Him

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Reposted by Chris Stewart
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Let Lister Fellow @stewartlab.bsky.social inspire you to apply for the Lister Prize 2027. "In Newcastle we say, 'Shy bairns get nowt.' This sums up my experience with the Lister Prize. It took three tries but I eventually succeeded." Full story 👀 lister-institute.org.uk/research-pri...
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Rejection is part of science. So is resilience. 🔬 Tim Blower and @stewartlab.bsky.social share how setbacks helped shape their careers. We don't talk about this enough. 🔁Please repost and share your own stories of defeat or bouceback. Break the stigma! lister-institute.org.uk/news/resilie...
Head and shoulder photos of Chris Steward (left) and Tim Blower (right). Both are wearing dark navy jackets and navy ties against blurred backgrounds.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
… So I agree it’s most likely coming from infant oral to breast after birth. Do you know if the Bifido dominance was more likely to happen in vaginally delivered infants? This would give more weight to that theory.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
I was pleased to see this published. The Bifido dominance or not seems so cohort specific. In preterms with only expressed milk we never see it, even when doing genus/species specific PCR. Or if we do it’s from the probiotics used on the unit…
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
A huge thanks to the amazing team in involved, especially Dr Jon Chapman and Dr Andrea Masi for leading, and Prof Janet Berrington for her unwavering support of research in this area. Thanks also to @wellcometrust.bsky.social and @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social for funding!
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
👶 A final reflection Biology is full of nuance and context matters. The specific strain matters. And the tiny ecosystems inside preterm infants may be leveraged to promote health.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Some bacteria traditionally seen as “bad actors” may actually support gut development under the right conditions.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
🧠 Why this matters Preterm babies rely heavily on the protective power of human milk to help their still‑developing gut and immune system. But milk alone isn’t the whole story — it also depends on which microbes are there to use it.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
5️⃣ Pre‑colonisation with pfoA– protects against pfoA+ damage In live co‑culture, the benign strain shielded the epithelium from the inflammatory and barrier‑disrupting effects of its toxigenic counterpart.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
4️⃣ The pfoA gene is the fulcrum pfoA+ strains = hypervirulent, damaging, inflammatory pfoA– strains = hypovirulent, non‑toxic, metabolically rich A pfoA– isolate enhanced mitochondrial function, tight junction integrity, and dampened inflammation in preterm‑derived gut organoids
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
3️⃣ They suppress preterm‑associated pathobionts Cell‑free supernatants from these isolates inhibited growth of Klebsiella, E. coli, and Enterobacter — key pathobionts linked to NEC — while promoting natural infant Bifidobacterium growth.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
- Polyamines associated with mucosal health - Histamine and other neuromodulators These metabolites influence energy metabolism, inflammation, epithelial integrity, and microbial competition.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
2️⃣ They produce a broader range of beneficial metabolites Compared with Bifidobacterium, these Clostridia generated more diverse and abundant immunomodulatory molecules, including: - SCFAs, especially butyrate - Tryptophan catabolites that support the epithelial barrier
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Across genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, organoids, and live bacterial co‑culture, a clear story emerged: 1️⃣ Not just Bifidobacterium. Preterm‑derived Clostridium strains can metabolise multiple HMOs such as DSLNT, linked to protection against NEC.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Specifically one strain in particular, a Clostridium perfringens lacking the pfoA– gene, kept standing out.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
But it turns out… they’re not alone. In our new @natmicrobiol.nature.com paper, we uncovered that Clostridium species common in preterm infants can also metabolise HMOs, and some strains may even help protect the immature gut.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
🚨 A new piece of the preterm gut microbiome puzzle just fell into place! Bifidobacterium metabolise human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in early life — shaping immunity, supporting gut development, and protecting against diseases like necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Clostridia from preterm infants metabolize human milk oligosaccharides to suppress pathobionts and modulate intestinal function in organoids - Nature Microbiology
Clostridium perfringens lacking perfringolysin O toxin isolated from preterm infants metabolizes human milk oligosaccharide disialyllacto-N-tetraose to produce metabolites that promote the growth of c...
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Fiona J Whelan @whelanfj.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
📣 The Whelan lab is hiring a bioinformatics postdoc 📣 Together with @fabricejpierre.bsky.social, we are offering a 1-year bioinformatic PDRA position in comparative genomics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To find out more please visit whelanlab.co.uk/contact/. Applications close 3 April 2026!
jobs.manchester.ac.uk
Research Associate in Microbial Genomics:Manchester
This postdoctoral research position is part of a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Early Career Investigator Award funded for 3-years led by Dr. Fabrice Jean-Pierre and Dr. Fiona Whelan. The aim of this project is to identify the genetic changes that arise in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome following perturbations – such as antibiotic treatment – in an in vitro system. The PDRA will use a large dataset of P. aeruginosa genomes and experimental metadata to predict key mutationsto the organism.
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Atin Sharma @atinsharma.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
A new probiotic in development? 🦠👶 Clostridium perfringens isolated from preterm infants metabolizes human milk oligosaccharide to promote commensal Bifidobacteria, inhibit pathogens and suppress inflammation in organoids Interesting work from @stewartlab.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Clostridia from preterm infants metabolize human milk oligosaccharides to suppress pathobionts and modulate intestinal function in organoids - Nature Microbiology
Clostridium perfringens lacking perfringolysin O toxin isolated from preterm infants metabolizes human milk oligosaccharide disialyllacto-N-tetraose to produce metabolites that promote the growth of commensal bifidobacteria, inhibit pathogens and suppress inflammation in an organoid model.
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Chris van der Gast @chrisvandergast.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
I have an open BBSRC PhD position in my lab at @northumbriauni.bsky.social to start Oct 2026 This exciting project will focus on the Resistance, resilience, & redundancy in the human gut microbiome This is part in collaboration with the fantastic @stewartlab.bsky.social Project details ⤵️ 1/2
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Introducing a new gut microbiology journal, aptly titled Gut Microbiology. All Article Publishing Charges (APCs) are waived for 2 years! Please send your exciting research our way. www.sciencedirect.com/journal/gut-...
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Microbes in Health and Disease @mhd-newcastle.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
The @stewartlab.bsky.social use systems biology and cutting-edge human intestinal organoid models to understand diet-microbe-host interaction across the life course, with the ambition to discover novel therapies to improve gut health. www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-scie... www.neonatalresearch.net
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Introducing a new gut microbiology journal, aptly titled Gut Microbiology. All Article Publishing Charges (APCs) are waived for 2 years! Please send your exciting research our way. www.sciencedirect.com/journal/gut-...
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Led by Emily Wroot, I present our recent Comment in @natmicrobiol.nature.com "Opportunities for microbiome-based therapeutics in preterm infants" Hopefully this provides a timely insight for clinicians and researchers interested in preterm infants, and beyond! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Opportunities for microbiome-based therapeutics in preterm infants - Nature Microbiology
Microbial-based and microorganism-targeting therapies are emerging to prevent or treat preterm infant complications, but more preclinical research and clinical evidence is needed.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Thank you ☺️
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Muzz Haniffa @mhaniffa.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Many congratulations @stewartlab.bsky.social on this amazing achievement - so richly deserved - #BlavatnikAwards Life Sciences Laureate 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 🎉 Very happy for you and great interview 👇🏾
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
In our latest blog post we catch up with #BlavatnikAwards Life Sciences Laureate @stewartlab.bsky.social, who recently attended the Blavatnik Awards ceremony and public symposium and gave talks about his preventive health work on preterm infant microbiomes 🫄👶 lister-institute.org.uk/congratulati...
lister-institute.org.uk
Congratulations Chris Stewart, 2025 Blavatnik Laureate for Life Sciences – Lister Institute
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Thank you!
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Neil Rajan @derm-scientist.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
The amazing Prof Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social gives his inaugural lecture👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine @thelisterinstitute.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
We had the pleasure of interviewing Chris earlier this week for the Lister Institute blog, and were excited to learn about his team's new preprint: a game-changer in understanding how human breast milk influences the infant microbiome.
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Newcastle University @newcastleuni.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
🎉 Congratulations to @stewartlab.bsky.social who has been named the Life Sciences Laureate at the 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK 🎖️ Read more 👇 www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articl... #WeAreNCL
Person wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, smiling in front of a banner with the logos. They are adorned with a medal on a yellow ribbon.
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences @medicalsciencesncl.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Huge congratulations to our colleague Professor Chris Stewart on receiving the esteemed Life Sciences Laureate at the Blavatnik Awards 2025! This is a first for @newcastleuni.bsky.social and we couldn't be more proud of Chris & his ground-breaking research! tinyurl.com/LaureateAward
tinyurl.com
Human microbiome researcher honoured with prestigious award
A leading young scientist is the first at Newcastle University to win an esteemed Blavatnik award.
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Reposted by Chris Stewart
Applied Microbiology International @amiposts.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Congratulations to AMI member Dr Christopher Stewart of @newcastleuni.bsky.social who has been named as a finalist in the eighth Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK! He is the 2023 winner of AMI’s WH Pierce Prize for microbiology. www.the-microbiologist.com/news/ami-mem...
the-microbiologist.com
AMI member Christopher Stewart named as finalist in 2025 UK Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists
Applied Microbiology International member Dr Christopher Stewart of Newcastle University has been named as a finalist for the eighth Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK. He is the 2023 win...
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Fabulous meeting in Hong Kong by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation. It was great to meet so many researchers in person whose work I have admired for some time. Thanks for having me!
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Really enjoyable discussion. Well done, Dolan!
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Main take-homes: 1) Clostridium lacking pfoA toxin may be beneficial to preterm health as a probiotic or postbiotic 2) Where infants are potentially colonised with pathogenic pfoA+ C. perf, these results caution against widespread HMO supplementation (e.g., of formula milk)
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
This work is only possible because of the amazing clinical team in Newcastle RVI. The Sanger team for the genome work. The whole of my team at @newcastleuni.bsky.social team for driving. And @wellcometrust.bsky.social and the Lister Institute for funding.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
There is lots more in the preprint so please do take a look. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Given pfoA+ C. perf damages the epithelum, we explored competitive exclusion using live organoid co-culture. This revealed that pre-culture with pfoA- C. perf protects the preterm gut against pathogenic pfoA+ C. perf.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
We found that generally the CFS from pfoA- C. perf could suppress the pro-inflammatory response in stimulated organoids. There was also no adverse impacts on inflammation from this CFS.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
This is all very exciting for a potential therapy, but not if it negatively impacts the host. To study this we used preterm intestinal organoids and the recently developed co-culture system that accurately recapitulates O2 levels across the epithelium
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
... but promoted the growth of naturally occurring infant B. breve and B. longum (though not probiotic derived B. infantis). Because the CFS was harvested after growth on glucose, this is not explained purely by cross-feeding of LNT and other HMO degradation products
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Now we wanted to see what impact cell free supernatant (CFS) from C. perf would have on infant gut microbiome development. Jon Chapman found it inhibited the growth of preterm infant pathobionts...
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Side step into some biochemistry - We found C. perf is able to use the sialic acid from DSLNT, but generally can not use LNT, which it "cross-feeds" to Bifidobacterium. The full digestion of DSLNT by C. perf was possible only when the β 1-3 bond was cleaved first.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
We therefore focused on a pfoA- C. perf isolate for further investigation, owing to it being in the hypovirulent linage V, lacking the pfoA toxin gene, its ability to use health-associated DSLNT, and its production of several beneficial SCFAs and metabolites
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Fantastic work by @halllab.bsky.social @raymondkiu.bsky.social showed C. perf carry the perfringolysin O (pfoA) gene is linked to disease, but an absence of this toxin places C. perf in the hypovirulent (i.e., health-associated) lineage. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Because HMOs are abundant prebiotics in human milk, bacteria that could metabolise them were assumed to be beneficial. e.g., Bifidobacterium sp. is the leading probiotic candidate in babies and are especially adapted to use HMOs. But this is where the nuance comes in.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
The work started with Andrea finding Clostridium perfringens (C. perf) cultured from a preterm infant could grow on a range of HMOs. We expanded this into other infant Clostridium isolates and Greg also found C. perf is more prevalent in healthy preterm infants.
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Introducing our latest preprint which discovered Clostridium sp. grow on HMOs. Using computational and experimental approaches we show this has beneficial consequences for the developing microbiome and the host. But there is nuance. A 🧵... www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Chris Stewart @stewartlab.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Pleasure to attend and learn about the fantastic on-going research 🙂
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