Dr Ruairi Robertson
Lecturer in Microbiome Science
Blizard Institute
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Gut microbiome, Microbiota, Environmental enteropathy, Gut physiology, Early-life
Interests
My research examines the influence between the early life gut microbiome and intestinal development, particularly in the context of undernutrition. I explore large microbiome datasets from mothers and infants to determine associations with child growth and infection. I have a particular interest in environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a pathological intestinal condition that occurs in low-resource settings and is hypothesized to impact nutrient absorption and growth. I am interested in the potential to examine the interaction between the gut microbiome and intestinal function using organ-on-a-chip technologies by co-culturing bacteria of interest in organoid and organ-on-chip systemsPublications
2024
Bifidobacterium longum and microbiome maturation modify a nutrient intervention for stunting in Zimbabwean infantsGough EK, Edens TJ, Carr L, Robertson RC, Mutasa K, Ntozini R, Chasekwa B, Geum HM, Baharmand I, Gill SK, Mutasa B, Mbuya MNN, Majo FD, Tavengwa N, Francis F, Tome J, Evans C, Kosek M, Prendergast AJ, Manges AR and Team SHINET
Ebiomedicine, Elsevier vol. 108
27-09-2024
Novel gastrointestinal tools (GI Tools) for evaluating gut functional capacity in adults with environmental enteropathy in Zambia and Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study protocolPhiri TN, Weatherill JW, Monford-Sanchez E, Serrano-Contreras J-I, Melvin C, Kunaka M, Chisenga I, Ngalande P, Mweetwa MN, Besa E, Haider T, Mandal N, Thompson AJ, Edwards CA, Bourke CD, Robertson RC, Posma JM, Banda R, Mwiinga M, Kazhila L, Katsidzira L, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Amadi B, Garcia-Perez I, Maitland K, Marchesi JR, Morrison DJ, Frost G and Kelly P
F1000research, F1000research vol. 13
23-08-2024
Bifidobacterium longum Strains Modify a Nutrient Intervention for Stunting in Zimbabwean InfantsGough EK, Edens TJ, Carr L, Robertson RC, Mutasa K, Ntozini R, Chasekwa B, Geum HM, Baharmand I, Gill SK, Mutasa B, Mbuya MN, Majo FD, Tavengwa ND, Francis F, Tome J, Evans C, Kosek M, Prendergast AJ and Manges AR
Current Developments in Nutrition, Elsevier vol. 8
01-07-2024
Maternal inflammatory and microbial drivers of low birthweight in low- and middle-income countriesBroad J, Robertson RC, Evans C, Perussolo J, Lum G, Piper JD, Loucaides E, Ziruma A, Chasekwa B, Ntozini R, Bourke CD and Prendergast AJ
Paediatrics and International Child Health, Taylor & Francis vol. 44 (2), 79-93.
02-04-2024
2023
Severe acute malnutrition promotes bacterial binding over pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating innate immune cellsBourke C and Robertson R
Science Advances, American Association For The Advancement of Science vol. 9 (44)
01-11-2023
Severe acute malnutrition promotes bacterial binding over proinflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating innate immune cellsPhiri TN, Mutasa K, Rukobo S, Govha M, Mushayanembwa P, Mwakamui S, Haider T, Zyambo K, Dumbura C, Tome J, Runodamoto T, Chidamba L, Majo FD, Ngosa D, Chandwe K, Kapoma C, Mwapenya B, Mufukari W, Sturgeon JP, Robertson RC, Smuk M, Ntozini R, Nathoo K, Amadi B, Kelly P, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Prendergast AJ and Bourke CD
Science Advances, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 9 (44), eadh2284-eadh2284.
01-11-2023
Malnourished Microbes: Host–Microbiome Interactions in Child UndernutritionJones HJ, Bourke CD, Swann JR and Robertson RC
Annual Review of Nutrition, Annual Reviews vol. 43 (1), 327-353.
19-05-2023
Inflammation: the driver of poor outcomes among children with severe acute malnutrition?Sturgeon JP, Njunge JM, Bourke CD, Gonzales GB, Robertson RC, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Berkley JA, Kelly P and Prendergast AJ
Nutrition Reviews, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 81 (12), 1636-1652.
28-03-2023
The gut microbiome and early-life growth in a population with high prevalence of stuntingRobertson RC, Edens TJ, Carr L, Mutasa K, Gough EK, Evans C, Geum HM, Baharmand I, Gill SK, Ntozini R, Smith LE, Chasekwa B, Majo FD, Tavengwa NV, Mutasa B, Francis F, Tome J, Stoltzfus RJ, Humphrey JH, Prendergast AJ and Manges AR
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 14 (1)
14-02-2023
2022
Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN): protocol for a randomised controlled trial of improved infant and young child feeding in rural ZimbabweSmith LE, Chagwena DT, Bourke C, Robertson R, Fernando S, Tavengwa NV, Cairns J, Ndhlela T, Matumbu E, Brown T, Datta K, Mutasa B, Tengende A, Chidhanguro D, Langhaug L, Makanza M, Chasekwa B, Mutasa K, Swann J, Kelly P, Ntozini R and Prendergast A
Bmj Open, Bmj vol. 12 (12)
01-12-2022
Antibiotic use and resistance in children with severe acute malnutrition and human immunodeficiency virus infectionFrancis F, Robertson RC, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M, Prendergast AJ and Manges AR
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, Elsevier vol. 61 (1)
11-11-2022
Commentary: Mechanisms of kwashiorkor-associated immune suppression: Insights from human, mouse, and pig studiesGonzales GB, Bourke CD, Sturgeon JP, Njunge JM, Robertson RC, Kelly PM and Berkley JA
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 13
25-07-2022
2021
Recovery of children following hospitalization for complicated severe acute malnutrition in Zimbabwe and ZambiaBourke C
Maternal and Child Nutrition, Wiley Open Access
22-12-2021
The fecal microbiome and rotavirus vaccine immunogenicity in rural Zimbabwean infantsRobertson RC, Church JA, Edens TJ, Mutasa K, Geum HM, Baharmand I, Gill SK, Ntozini R, Chasekwa B, Carr L, Majo FD, Kirkpatrick BD, Lee B, Moulton LH, Humphrey JH, Prendergast AJ, Manges AR and Team TST
Vaccine, Elsevier vol. 39 (38), 5391-5400.
13-08-2021
Understanding the role of the gut in undernutrition: what can technology tell us?Thompson A, Bourke C, Roberston R, Shivakumar N, Edwards C, Preston T, Holmes E, Kelly M, Frost G, Morrison D and On behalf of the HUNGer Consortium
Gut, Bmj Publishing Group
09-06-2021
Maternal fecal microbiome predicts gestational age, birth weight and neonatal growth in rural Zimbabwe.Gough EK, Edens TJ, Geum HM, Baharmand I, Gill SK, Robertson RC, Mutasa K, Ntozini R, Smith LE, Chasekwa B, Majo FD, Tavengwa NV, Mutasa B, Francis F, Carr L, Tome J, Stoltzfus RJ, Moulton LH, Prendergast AJ, Humphrey JH, Manges AR and Team ST
Ebiomedicine, Elsevier vol. 68
01-06-2021
Associations between maternal obesity and infectious morbidity in Zimbabwean infantsAlthaus T, Chasekwa B, Robertson RC, Ntozini R, Greenland K, Humphrey JH and Prendergast AJ
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
28-04-2021
A One Health Approach to Child Stunting: Evidence and Research Agenda.Gharpure R, Mor SM, Viney M, Hodobo T, Lello J, Siwila J, Dube K, Robertson RC, Mutasa K, Berger CN, Hirai M, Brown T, Ntozini R, Evans C, Hoto P, Smith LE, Tavengwa NV, Joyeux M, Humphrey JH, Berendes D and Prendergast AJ
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene vol. 104 (5), 1620-1624.
08-03-2021
Risk factors for postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for severe acute malnutrition in Zimbabwe and ZambiaBwakura-Dangarembizi M, Dumbura C, Amadi B, Ngosa D, Majo FD, Nathoo KJ, Mwakamui S, Mutasa K, Chasekwa B, Ntozini R, Kelly P, Prendergast AJ, Besa E, Claire DB, Chakara P, Chidamba L, Chidawanyika T, Chidhanguro T, Chifunda K, Chilala E, Chingaoma L, Chipunza M, Chulu N, Dandadzi A, Dumba T, Dune W, Gondwe T, Govha M, Gwanzura K and Humphrey HJ
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Elsevier vol. 113 (3), 665-674.
20-01-2021
2020
Can breastfeeding protect against antimicrobial resistance?Nadimpalli ML, Bourke CD, Robertson RC, Delarocque-Astagneau E, Manges AR and Pickering AJ
Bmc Medicine, Springer Nature vol. 18 (1)
01-12-2020
The Gut Microbiome in Child MalnutritionRobertson RC
In Global Landscape of Nutrition Challenges in Infants and Children, Karger Publishers 133-144.
01-01-2020
2019
Putting the “A” into WaSH: a call for integrated management of water, animals, sanitation, and hygienePrendergast AJ, Gharpure R, Mor S, Viney M, Dube K, Lello J, Berger C, Siwila J, Joyeux M, Hodobo T, Hurt L, Brown T, Hoto P, Tavengwa N, Mutasa K, Craddock S, Chasekwa B, Robertson RC, Evans C, Chidhanguro D, Mutasa B, Majo F, Smith LE, Hirai M, Ntozini R, Humphrey JH and Berendes D
Lancet Planetary Health, Elsevier vol. 3 (8), e336-e337.
21-08-2019
Health Outcomes, Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of Severe Acute Malnutrition (HOPE-SAM): rationale and methods of a longitudinal observational studyBOURKE CD, PRENDERGAST A and ROBERTSON R
Bmj Open, Bmj Journals
01-02-2019
2018
The Human Microbiome and Child Growth – First 1000 Days and BeyondRobertson RC, Manges AR, Finlay BB and Prendergast AJ
Trends in Microbiology, Elsevier vol. 27 (2), 131-147.
24-10-2018
Maternal omega-3 fatty acids regulate offspring obesity through persistent modulation of gut microbiotaRobertson RC, Kaliannan K, Strain CR, Ross RP, Stanton C and Kang JX
Microbiome, Springer Nature vol. 6 (1)
24-05-2018
2017
Deficiency of essential dietary n-3 PUFA disrupts the caecal microbiome and metabolome in mice.Robertson RC, Seira Oriach C, Murphy K, Moloney GM, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Ross RP and Stanton C
Br J Nutr vol. 118 (11), 959-970.
01-12-2017
2016
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids critically regulate behaviour and gut microbiota development in adolescence and adulthoodRobertson RC, Oriach CS, Murphy K, Moloney GM, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Ross RP and Stanton C
Brain Behavior and Immunity, Elsevier vol. 59, 21-37.
14-07-2016
Food for thought: The role of nutrition in the microbiota-gut–brain axisOriach CS, Robertson RC, Stanton C, Cryan JF and Dinan TG
Clinical Nutrition Experimental vol. 6, 25-38.
01-04-2016
2015
The Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Reverses Corticosterone-Induced Changes in Cortical NeuronsPusceddu MM, Nolan YM, Green HF, Robertson RC, Stanton C, Kelly P, Cryan JF and Dinan TG
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 19 (6)
12-12-2015
2011
Gene–gene and gene–environment interactions defining lipid-related traitsOrdovás JM, Robertson R and Cléirigh EN
Current Opinion in Lipidology, Wolters Kluwer vol. 22 (2), 129-136.
01-04-2011
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
Accelerating microbiome research in LMIC - Travel AwardRuairi Robertson and Andrew Prendergast
£8,800 BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION
01-03-2025 - 28-02-2026
Mechanisms underlying preterm birth in women with HIV in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Ruairi Robertson, Melanie Smuk, Claire Bourke, Nikolaos Donos, Robert Allaker, Abish Stephen, Conrad Bessant, Stefaan Verbruggen and Tina Chowdhury
£1,142,315 MRC Medical Research Council
01-05-2024 - 30-04-2027
Novel tools for evaluating intestinal dysfunction in children and adults with malnutrition disordersMaurice Kelly, Claire Bourke and Ruairi Robertson
£670,581 MRC Medical Research Council
20-09-2021 - 19-09-2026
The impact of microbial and inflammatory exposures on birth outcomes in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Claire Bourke, Ruairi Robertson, Robert Allaker and Nikolaos Donos
£535,070 MRC Medical Research Council
01-01-2021 - 31-12-2023
Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN): a randomized trial to close the nutrient gap in rural ZimbabweAndrew Prendergast, Claire Bourke, Ruairi Robertson, Maurice Kelly, Kavita Datta and Timothy Brown
£154,009 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01-04-2019 - 31-03-2021
META-SAM Metagenomics and Metabolomics of Severe Acute MalnutritionRuairi Robertson
£265,625 Wellcome Trust
01-09-2017 - 01-03-2022