The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem, which contributes essential functions to human physiology. Changes to the microbiome are associated with several chronic diseases characterised by inflammation, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. Microbiome-derived effector molecules comprising nucleic acids, (poly)peptides and metabolites are present at high levels in the gut but have so far eluded systematic study. I will discuss how integrated multi-omic analysescombined with human organ-on-chip systems can be
leveraged to shine light on this molecular “dark matter” with potential for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.
Paul Wilmes is Associate Professor of Systems Ecology at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxembourg. His main primary research focus is on using Systems Biology approaches to identify key functionalities of microbial communities including human associated microbiota.
Since 2016 Paul Wilmes is the vice-president of the Luxembourg Society for Microbiology. In 2018 he received the Grand Prix en Sciences de l’Institut Grand-Ducal, this prize currently represents the most prestigious prize in science in Luxembourg. Paul Wilmes has authored more than 80 peer-review publications. He is a frequent invited speaker at international scientific symposia and academic institutions.
Moderation: Professor Dr. Dörte Becher