FUNMIC: Platform for functional microbiome research at interfaces
The FUNMIC platform (Functional Microbiome Research at Interfaces) investigates the role of the human microbiome in infectious diseases and how its functions can be harnessed for new approaches to diagnosing, preventing, and treating infections. The focus is on microbial communities in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. To this end, FUNMIC brings together complementary expertise in microbiology, genomics, experimental research, and clinical medicine. Researchers study individual microorganisms and microbial communities to understand how they influence infections and interact with drugs. A particular focus is the development of microbiome-based diagnostics and so-called Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs). These are therapeutic products containing live microorganisms that are being developed to prevent or treat disease. FUNMIC supports the development of such products from the selection and functional characterization of suitable microorganisms through to preclinical development candidates.
The human body is colonized by a wide variety of microorganisms. Particularly at the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts, they form complex communities. This microbiome can play an important role in protecting against pathogens. However, its composition and function vary from person to person and can be altered by factors such as disease or medication use.
A better understanding of these complex interactions opens up new possibilities for infectious disease research and medicine. Specific characteristics of the microbiome could, for example, serve as biomarkers and enable new approaches to diagnostics and risk assessment. At the same time, researchers are investigating whether specific microorganisms or defined microbial communities can be harnessed to prevent infections or support their treatment.
From functional analysis to preclinical development
FUNMIC isolates and cultivates microorganisms from human samples and characterizes them genetically and functionally. The platform investigates their physiological characteristics, metabolic capabilities, and interactions with drugs, among other properties. Bacterial strains are collected and made available for further research in collaboration with the DZIF infrastructure Bioresources, Biodata and Digital Health (BBD).
High-throughput methods and gnotobiotic models, in which the microorganisms present are precisely known, allow promising microorganisms and defined microbial communities to be studied in greater detail. An important translational goal is the development of Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs), therapeutic products containing live microorganisms. Together with partners from the DZIF Bridging Topic Microbiome and taking regulatory requirements into account, FUNMIC develops standards, safety testing procedures, and protocols for this purpose. Promising approaches can thus be systematically advanced toward preclinical development candidates.
Microbiome-based diagnostics and drug effects
FUNMIC also supports epidemiological and cohort studies by providing functional analyses of the microbiome. One aim is to identify characteristics that could be suitable for use in new diagnostic approaches. To this end, the platform develops standardized methods for isolating microorganisms and preserving samples. One example is the DZIF project COL-RESsay, which investigates which characteristics of the gut microbiome may protect against gastrointestinal infections and whether these can be detected directly in human stool samples.
At the same time, FUNMIC investigates how medications and new drug candidates affect the human microbiome. This makes it possible to consider potential adverse effects on beneficial components of the microbiome at an early stage in the development of new therapeutic approaches. In the long term, this could help enable more targeted treatment of infections while preserving important functions of the microbiome as much as possible.
A shared platform for translational microbiome research
FUNMIC brings together expertise and infrastructure that have been established over many years at several DZIF sites. The platform provides methods, protocols, models, and expertise for research projects within and beyond DZIF. Through the DZIF Bridging Topic Microbiome, FUNMIC also collaborates with researchers from different medical disciplines and strengthens links with the other German Centers for Health Research (DZG).
FUNMIC thus provides a shared foundation for translating findings from microbiome research into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
