Translational microbiome research

The human gut microbiome is an integral part of human health, and it helps thwart infections by bacterial pathogens. The goal of WP1 is to develop new intervention strategies to treat or prevent recurrent human diseases involving pathogens that invade our microbiomes.

The objectives of WP1 are to:

  • Decipher pathogen invasion principles in human (and animal) gut microbiomes
  • Test new translational approaches for disease intervention management
  • Build and integrate a centre of human microbiome diagnostics into clinical practice

WP1 will focus on bacterial infections causing diarrhea. It will study the pathogen itself, but also the host’s microbiome or the host’s immune response. Clinical trials at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) will help WP1 isolate microorganisms that reduce infection, which will then be verified in animal infection models. WP1 will examine how the resident microbiome can keep pathogens at bay, as a foundation for testing and development of new strategies for medical treatment.

The outcome of these activities could change the way that bacterial infections are treated and prevented in humans. This project holds the promise of future treatments based on precision approaches with single or simple mixtures of pure and well-characterized cultures.

Work Package Leaders
Prof. Gilbert Greub
MD-PhD, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Prof. Pascale Vonaesch
University of Lausanne (UNIL)

Latest publications

Gut microbiomes of agropastoral children from the Adadle region of Ethiopia reflect their unique dietary habits
Yersin, S., Garneau, J. R., Schneeberger, P. H. H., Osman, K. A., Cercamondi, C. I., Muhummed, A. M., Tschopp, R., Zinsstag, J., Vonaesch, P. (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47748-8
From microbiome composition to functional engineering, one step at a time
Burz, S. D., Causevic, S., Dal Co, A., Dmitrijeva, M., Vonaesch, P., Vorholt, J., et al. (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1128/mmbr.00063-23
Temporal changes in fecal microbiota of patients infected with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort
Galperine, T., Choi, Y., Pagani, J.-L., Kritikos, A., Greub, G., Guery, B., Bertelli, C., et al. (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08511-6