Microbial Transmission
The “One Health” idea emphasizes the close relationship between human health and well-being and the health of other ecosystem elements such as soil, plants, and animals.
We are gradually discovering the important role of microbial communities in maintaining our health, as well as the health of ecosystems. Numerous studies now show that microbial communities linked to plants, animals, and people serve as an "eco-holobiont", influencing the fitness and performance of practically all living organisms on Earth. Moreover, microbial communities made up of various organisms are related to one another and create a loop.
In our lab, we apply big data recycling to zoom in on the drivers of microbiome composition. By applying meta’omics and statistical approaches, we study how pathogens can be transmitted between different environments. Moreover, given that the associations between the microbiome and health extend beyond pathogens alone, we are also working on identifying general principles of microbial colonization for the rational editing of imbalanced microbial communities.