Mechanisms underlying the effects of the gut microbiota on host liver lipid metabolism

• Applicant: Dr. Josef Ecker
• Subject Area: Nutritional Sciences
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281481838

The mammalian gut harbours a huge microbial community designated as gut microbiota. Based on literature findings and our preliminary data it is obvious that hepatic lipid synthesis and metabolism is influenced by gut microbiota. How the gut microbiota affects these processes remains currently unexplained and how the diet and its composition contributes to changes in the host is also not known. But, a better understanding of the bilateral relationship of host lipid metabolism and microbiota is needed for filling the gaps in human systems physiology and for any therapeutic strategies to combat related metabolic diseases and improve health. Therefore, the major objective of this project is to characterize the regulation of hepatic lipid synthesis by gut microbiota in depth. This includes the influence of the diet and to unveil molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Dieter Haller; Professor Dr. Gerhard Liebisch; Professor Dr. Fabian Theis