Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Clavel, Professor at the Institute of Medical Microbiology at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, and colleagues publish an article ‘Enabling next-generation anaerobic cultivation through biotechnology to advance functional microbiome research’ in the renowned journal Nature Biotechnology. The article will be published on 29 April 2025.
Anaerobic microorganisms are central to the human microbiome, for instance in the gut, and influence health, but also the development of several chronic diseases. Although sequencing technologies have provided comprehensive insights into microbial composition, functional interpretation is still limited. For this reason, the cultivation of anaerobic bacteria is becoming increasingly important again, as it enables research into specific metabolic pathways, microbial and host-microbe interactions and potential therapeutic targets. Innovative anaerobic cultivation approaches can revolutionise functional microbiome research - with direct benefits for diagnostics (biomarkers discovery) and therapy (live biotherapeutics).
The publication strengthens the position of the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen as one of the world's leading institutions for medical research and innovation.