Project description
Understanding the interaction of archaeal species in human gut microbiome function
Next to bacteria and eukaryotes, archaea represent the third domain of life on Earth. Archaea are an ancient group of single-celled microorganisms with unique characteristics and their representatives thrive in numerous habitats, including the mammalian gut. There, Methanobrevibacter species are particularly important, as they are involved in methane production in ruminants. These microorganisms modulate the microbiome by influencing the availability of essential vitamins and metabolites, but the exact mechanisms of archaea-bacteria-host interactions are unknown. The ERC-funded ARCH-METH project aims to study Methanobrevibacter’s interactions with bacteria in the human gut microbiome, where it acts as a dynamic orchestrator. A detailed understanding could enable the therapeutic modulation of microbiomes in humans, other animals and plants, as well as the modulation of methane production.
Objective
Archaea, the most ancient domain of life, play a crucial yet largely underappreciated role in human microbiomes and Earth's nutrient cycles. Among them, Methanobrevibacter species are particularly important for methane production in ruminants, accounting for up to 6% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and are prevalent in animal and plant microbiomes. In recent years, I have become intrigued by the impact of Methanobrevibacter on human physiology. Our research has shown that two distinct Methanobrevibacter species influence the availability of essential vitamins and metabolites by shaping the entire gut microbiome. Despite their recognized importance for health, our mechanistic understanding of archaeal dynamics and communication within the human microbial ecosystem remains limited due to technical challenges and a historical research bias. Methanobrevibacter never acts alone but relies on complex syntrophic, mutual interactions with bacteria. In these inter-domain networks, Methanobrevibacter functions as central hub. This creates an exciting possibility to strategically manipulate human microbiomes through a unique focus on the archaeal component. Given their distinct biological features, a major challenge is developing a robust methodological toolkit and engineering synthetic archaeal-bacterial consortia with therapeutic potentials. Through an integrative approach combining computational, experimental, and in vivo studies, I aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing Methanobrevibacter networks, with the overall goal of elevating Methanobrevibacter to a central position in microbiome research. The gained knowledge will deepen scientific understanding of archaea and yield valuable applications in host-associated microbiomes. With extensive, globally unique expertise, a robust scientific network, and a validated methodological basis, I am poised to lead pioneering archaeome research with global implications for both environmental and human health.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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8010 Graz
Austria
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