Otto Loewi Forschungszentrum

Research focus Metabolism and the gut

PI: Florian Reichmann

Focus: The scientific focus of our group is on the analysis of environmental (gut microbiome, stress, diet), immunological and genetic factors relevant for brain function and pathological behavioral changes. This includes (1) microbial agonists of pattern recognition receptors, (2) microbial metabolites, (3) neurobiological manifestations of colitis, (4) stress and resilience interventions, (5) immune mediators (cytokines), (6) microglia, (7) neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and (8) disease and behavior-associated genes.

Network: Ongoing national and international collaborations exist with the following research groups: Gregor Gorkiewicz and Christine Moissl-Eichinger, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine; Eva Reininghaus, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine; Frank Madeo and Tobias Eisenberg, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz; Christoph Magnes, Joanneum Research; Barbara Kofler, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg; Herbert Herzog, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; William Norton, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavior, University of Leicester, UK.

Projects

Environmental modulation of microbiota-gut-brain axis signalling: effects of environmental enrichment

  • This project investigates how positive, stress resilience-promoting environmental interventions influence the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Specifically, we will characterize effects on gastrointestinal microbiota and microbial metabolites and/or immunological markers as potential key mediators of the positive effects of beneficial environmental stimulation. The project has the potential to unravel novel compounds that could be harnessed to develop novel therapeutic strategies mimicking beneficial environmental stimulation.
  • Duration: 2022–2026
  • Funded by: FWF
  • Project partners: Akos Heinemann, Division of Pharmacology; Christoph Magnes, Joanneum Research; John Cryan, University College Cork, Ireland

Influence of the microbiome on energy balance and brain development

  • This project investigates to what extent the gut microbiome plays a role in the influence of diet on neuropsychiatric diseases. The quality of the diet can markedly change the composition and function of the intestinal microbiome. Preclinical studies show that diets with a high fat content have an adverse effect on the intestinal microbiome and lead to depression-like behavioral changes. The intestinal microbiome and the hormone leptin formed in fat cells are causally involved in this connection between high-fat diet and depression. 
  • Duration: 2013-2024
  • Funded by: European Commission (MyNewGut), Medical University of Graz
  • Project partners: Yolanda Sanz, Microbial Ecology, Nutrition & Health Research Unit, National Research Council, Valencia, Spanien; Nathalie M. Delzenne, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Brüssel, Belgien; Sandrine P. Claus, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, UK

Behavioral disorders after visceral immune activation

  • Activation of the peripheral immune system through bacterial and viral infections or components of the intestinal microbiome can contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases. This project investigates how metabolites of viral or microbial origin affect the brain and lead to changes in behavior (anhedonia, lethargy, anorexia, anxiety, depression). The focus of interest is the neuroprotective neuropeptide Y and other signal molecules relevant to behavior such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
  • Duration: 2014-2024
  • Funded by: FWF, Medical University of Graz
  • Project partners: Gregor Gorkiewicz, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology; Herbert Herzog, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia

 

Analysis of genetic and environmental factors in the development of aggression in zebrafish

  • This project investigates which genes play a role in the development of aggression. Through the targeted breeding of zebrafish with an aggressive phenotype and genetic analysis of the brain using RNAseq, genes that are associated with an aggressive phenotype can be identified. With the help of CRISPR / Cas9, it will further be investigated how changes in the expression of these genes affect aggressive behavior.
  • Duration: 2017-2024
  • Funded by: FWF, Medical University of Graz
  • Project partners: Karl Kashofer, Diagnostik- und Forschungsinstitut für Pathologie; William Norton, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, UK; Matt Parker, University of Surrey, UK

 

Division of Pharmacology

Univ.-FA Priv.-Doz. Dr.
Florian Reichmann,  PhD
T: +43 316 385 74122

Division of Pharmacology

Univ.-FÄ Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in
Aitak Farzi,  PhD
T: +43 316 385 74116