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Microorganisms do not just colonize the body of mammals during infections. Billions of microbes can be found on and in healthy humans and animals at any given time, communicating with each other via chemical signals and thus influencing their health. In two studies, researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University and Saarland University Hospital have now conducted a detailed study of the microbiome, i.e. the totality of all microorganisms, in humans and zoo animals. The aim was to identify starting points for strategies for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. The researchers published their results in two articles in the journal Nature Communications. The HIPS is a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in collaboration with Saarland University.

To prepare us for future pandemics, researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH) not only look at the pathogens, but also at how changes in the environment and nature - including those caused by us - influence how pathogens have developed in the past. Prof. Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer heads the research group "Evolution of Pathogens" at HIOH and uses genetic changes to retrospectively analyse what could have caused this change. In the HZI podcast InFact, he explains how this allows valuable conclusions to be drawn about how today's pathogens could develop.

The intestinal microbiome is currently the subject of intensive research, as it is of great importance for human health. Intestinal bacteria play an essential role in the defense against dangerous pathogens, which is one of the reasons why the majority of them are among the good guys. On the other hand, some of our lodgers are more prevalent in specific diseases - for whatever reason. This also applies to the widespread but little-researched bacterium Segatella copri. The research group led by Prof Till Strowig at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) wanted to determine what makes this bacterium tick. How does it adapt to its environment? And what signals does it react to?

What opportunities lie ahead for the future of medical research and healthcare systems? Researchers from the Helmholtz Association exchange ideas with decision-makers from science, politics, patient organizations, biotech, and the pharmaceutical industry at the Helmholtz Health Summit. The conference focuses on scientific developments that will have a long-term impact on medicine and healthcare. Topics include digital health, artificial intelligence, personalized therapy, prevention, pandemic resilience, and research transfer.

Bacteria are a valuable source for the discovery of natural products that can be used for the development of new drugs. A HIPS research team has now identified two new classes of active substances with antimicrobial properties from bacteria that live in symbiosis with a toxic bird. This strategy and the substances discovered offer promising avenues towards the development of new anti-infectives, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Communications. The HIPS is a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in collaboration with Saarland University.

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Friends of the HZI are presenting the first event in the Vienna “Sounds and Science” series in cooperation with the Staatstheater Braunschweig. A string quartet consisting of members of the Vienna Philharmonic, including concertmaster Rainer Honeck, will perform works by Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven, alternating with lectures by renowned scientists from the HZI. The concert will take place on 25 October 2024 at 7:30 pm in the Kleines Haus of the Staatstheater Braunschweig and will be moderated by the well-known actor Andreas Pietschmann.