Functional analysis of lipid metabolism by the microbiome in gut-liver interactions (A05)

• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 403224013

Lipid metabolism is a central metabolic function within the gut-liver axis. However, little is known about how bacterial lipolytic activities and bile acid metabolism influence liver functions and how this is regulated by ecological factors within the gut microbiome. In A05, we will characterise the diversity and functions of the dominant human gut species C. aerofaciens from healthy and NAFLD individuals at the strain level. We will determine how metabolic interactions within microbial communities affect C. aerofaciens functions and will identify the impact of these processes on host liver functions in gnotobiotic mice.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1382: Gut-liver axis – Functional circuits and therapeutic targets
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Martin von Bergen; Professor Dr. Thomas Clavel