Studying microbial balance, signalling and infection mechanisms
Honey mushroom in petridishes
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU
This research focus builds on the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the MicroverseExternal link and unites experts from five faculties. It investigates how microbial balance emerges, becomes disturbed and can be restored, the role of chemical signals in these processes, and how such signals affect microbial infection mechanisms. The focus bridges molecular mechanisms, disease processes, and systemic interactions. The interdisciplinary approach links microbiology, chemistry, physics, medicine, and data sciences. Cutting-edge methods such as multi-omics, high-resolution imaging, organ-
on-chip systems, and AI-based modelling enable analyses from molecules to ecosystems.
"For me, Jena is special because the exchange between the university and non-university research institutes is both natural and truly collaborative — a closeness whose uniqueness I only came to fully appreciate over time."
EXC 2051: Balance of the MicroverseExternal link
This Cluster of Excellence explores the interactions of microbes with other organisms and their environment.
CRC 1278 Polymer-based nanoparticle libraries for targeted anti-inflammatory strategies
In the Collaborative Research Center 'PolyTarget', polymeric nanoparticulate carrier systems are being developed to enable the targeted and efficient delivery of pharmaceutical active ingredients.
CRC 1127 ChemBioSys: Chemical Mediators in Complex BiosystemsExternal link
The Collaborative Research Center 'ChemBioSys' focuses on chemical mediators, which play a key role in the interactions between organisms in a biological community.
RTG 3136 Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of Infectious Diseases - NeurInfectExternal link
The DFG-funded RTG NeurInfect is an interdisciplinary doctoral program focused on post-infectious neuropsychiatric sequelae (NPI).
RTG 2723 M-M-M: Materials-Microbe-Microenvironment: Antimicrobial biomaterials with tailored structures and properties
The Research Training Group Materials-Microbes-Microenvironments (M-M-M) develops novel, tailored antimicrobial materials with potential for future clinical application.
PP 2240: Bioelectrochemical and engineering fundamentals to establish electro-biotechnolgy for biosynthesis – Power to value-added products - eBiotechExternal link
eBiotech explores how electrical energy can power enzymes and microbes to produce valuable, sustainable products.
Research Campus InfectoGnosticsExternal link
As a public-private partnership, the InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena is breaking new ground in the diagnosis of infections. More than 30 partners from science, medicine and industry are working together to develop innovative solutions for the rapid and cost-effective on-site diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Thuringian Water Innovation Cluster (ThWIC)
The ThWIC Future Cluster, as part of the BMFTR’s Clusters4Future initiative, aims to develop solutions for the sustainable management of water.
STAIN-IT - Non-invasive computational immunohistochemical staining based on deep learning and multimodal imagingExternal link
The ERC-funded STAIN-IT project aims to develop a label-free alternative to immunohistochemistry using advanced multimodal imaging combined with artificial intelligence.
ArtRNA - Artificial RNA regulators to probe, control, and design gene regulatory networks in bacteriaExternal linkExternal link
The ERC investigates artificial small RNAs (sRNAs) as programmable tools to understand bacterial gene regulation, study antibiotic resistance, and develop new applications in synthetic biology.
DiversiPHI - Predicting the evolution of complex phage-host interactionsExternal link
The EU-funded DiversiPHI project is developing and applying new computational and experimental methods to better understand the evolution of phage-host interactions.
AnoxyGen - Harnessing Specialized Metabolism from AnaerobesExternal link
The ERC-funded AnoxyGen project develops synthetic biology tools to activate hidden biosynthetic pathways in anaerobic bacteria in order to discover novel compounds with applications in medicine, biotechnology, and ecology.
Synthetic therapeutic microbes for tailored antimicrobial therapies (SynThera)External link
The project uses synthetic biology to develop new treatment approaches for multi-resistant bacteria. The aim is to revolutionize antimicrobial therapies using therapeutic microorganisms and to offer tailor-made solutions to combat multi-resistant pathogens.
