Infection Biology

Microbial communities consisting of bacteria, fungi, and viruses colonize all surfaces of the human body. These communities are collectively referred to as the microbiome. The composition of the microbiome varies between individuals and also within a single individual over the course of a lifetime. Key influencing factors at the beginning of life include mode of birth and diet. Later in life, the use of antibiotics and other medications, long-term dietary habits, health status, and sport and stress also play a role. In recent years, numerous studies have investigated the extent to which the microbiome and its changes contribute to our health and disease development. In animal models and clinical studies, it has been demonstrated that certain changes in the microbiome influence the development or course of, for example, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, or susceptibility to infection. This has led to the development of novel microbiome-based therapies, which are currently being investigated in animal models and clinical studies.

Till Strowig’s department takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining microbiology, immunology, and bioinformatics to develop a molecular understanding of the complex interactions between the gut microbiome and the host. This research provides a vital foundation for developing personalized prevention and treatment strategies. Close collaboration between the MHH and the HZI at the CiiM will enable research findings from basic research to be translated more directly into practice in the future. One example of this is the successful establishment of a microbiome analysis platform. This platform is crucial for studying how the microbiome influences a host's susceptibility to infections, and it has already been utilized for various patient groups (RESIST-SeniorIndividuals, LöwenKIDS, and RheumaVOR). Another example is identifying specific microbiome components that can be used in preclinical models to prevent colonization by disease-promoting bacteria.