Our multidisciplinary group works on the complex communication pathways between the gut microbiome and the brain that are relevant for digestion, brain function and pathological behavioural changes. In addition, we investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on behaviour and neurobiology to uncover novel therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disease.
PI: Florian Reichmann and Aitak Farzi
Focus: The scientific focus of our team is on the analysis of environmental (gut microbiome, stress, diet), immunological and genetic factors relevant for brain function and pathological behavioral changes. This includes (1) microbial agonists of pattern recognition receptors, (2) microbial metabolites, (3) neurobiological manifestations of colitis, (4) stress and resilience interventions, (5) immune mediators (cytokines), (6) microglia, (7) neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and (8) disease and behavior-associated genes.
Network: Ongoing national and international collaborations exist with the following research groups: Gregor Gorkiewicz and Christine Moissl-Eichinger, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine; Eva Reininghaus, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine; Frank Madeo and Tobias Eisenberg, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz; Christoph Magnes, Joanneum Research; Barbara Kofler, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg; Herbert Herzog, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; William Norton, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavior, University of Leicester, UK.
Within the framework of the Cluster of Excellence “MetAGE”, an interdisciplinary team of basic researchers and clinicians is investigating how disturbances in metabolic control increase the risk of age-related diseases. Our team specifically focuses on the impact of impaired metabolic regulation on the brain and the pathophysiology of depression. Specifically, we will characterize the effects of targeted nutritional interventions on the bidirectional communication between peripheral organs (especially the gut and liver) and the brain. The goal is to translate the findings obtained from basic research on model organisms into clinical application.
