Revolutionary research: How the microbiome influences our health!

Revolutionary research: How the microbiome influences our health!

On May 26, 2025, an interesting event entitled “Microbiome Research meets Developmental Genomics” will take place in the Bertalanffy lecture hall of the Center for Organismal Studies in Heidelberg. This event addresses the interactions between the microbiome and developmental genetics and brings together leading experts in this field.

Prof. Gilles Storelli, who studies the intestinal microbiome at Heidelberg University, will give a lecture on the metabolic and nutritional interactions between intestinal bacteria and their hosts. His focus is on the model organism fruit fly, whose intestinal flora can make a decisive contribution to mitigating environmental stress. These findings are particularly relevant as researchers study the effects of gut flora on nutrition, adolescent growth and overall health.

Latest findings from microbiome research

The intestinal microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms, predominantly bacteria, that occur in different sections of the intestinal tract. It includes several hundred species, of which 50 to 100 are significantly represented. This microbiota plays a crucial role in the conversion of non-digestible food components as well as in the new synthesis of compounds such as vitamins. In addition, it has an impact on the host's immune system.

The composition of the microbiome is not constant; it varies significantly on the individual intestinal sections and between the mucous membrane and the intestinal lumen. External stressors, such as medications and environmental toxins, can disrupt the functionality of the microbiome, leading to a condition known as dysbiosis. These connections are central to understanding health consequences and underline the relevance of microbiome research, as shown on the pages of ufz.de is explained in detail.

Prof. Storelli, who received his doctorate from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in 2015 and conducted research at the University of Utah and the University of Cologne in the following years, was appointed Professor of Molecular Organismic Biology at the University of Heidelberg in 2025.

Developmental genetics in focus

Prof. Lauren Saunders, who will also take part in the event, is dedicated to developmental genetics. Her research analyzes how the developmental history of a cell influences its function during embryonic development. She uses model organisms such as zebrafish and medaka to define the principles of vertebrate evolution and adaptation. Saunders received his doctorate from the University of Washington in 2019 and took up a tenure-track professorship in organismic environmental adaptation at the University of Heidelberg in 2024.

The lectures by Prof. Storelli and Prof. Saunders, each lasting 20 to 25 minutes, will be complemented by a moderated panel discussion on the social impact of research. This discussion will also promote exchange between participants and help understand the importance of microbiome research and its connections to developmental biology.

Loud medunigraz.at Microbiome research is a relatively young field that has been revolutionized by new sequencing technologies. Comprehensive research into the microbiome, particularly in the human body, provides valuable insights into health and disease.

After the official event, there will be an opportunity for an informal exchange, which offers the opportunity to further deepen the topics discussed and initiate potential new research collaborations.