Impact of a natural microbiota on gut inflammation and therapy response in IBD (TP14)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 550296805

While the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remains unclear, the gut microbiota plays a key role in disease dynamics. In addition to bacteria, fungi, helminths, and protozoa shape mucosal immunity, yet are absent in standard lab mice. Our preliminary data reveal that wildling mice with natural microbiota show distinct immune, epithelial, and microbial profiles, with their CD4+ T cells inducing less colitis than lab mice. This project will explore how natural microbiota influences immune pathways, barrier function, and therapy response. The goal is to develop microbiota-based strategies for improved IBD treatment.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1755: CASCAID - Cellular and Systems Control of Autoimmune Disease
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Christoph Becker; Professor Dr. Stephan Patrick Rosshart