Millions of people for intestinal research

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon, which is becoming more common in industrialized countries. Since the exact cause of the disease is still unknown, current treatments are primarily aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than providing a cure. Notably, people with ulcerative colitis often display an unbalanced gut microbiome and a lack of protective mucus layer.

The research by Björn Schröder's team at the Department of Molecular Biology focuses on the sticky mucus layer that forms the surface of the intestine and protects against bacterial invasion. There, billions of microorganisms live in the microflora, which normally protects against infection and inflammation.

The project, in collaboration between various disciplines, aims to clarify the interaction between these intestinal flora and defects in the mucus observed in people with ulcerative colitis. The research is being conducted in collaboration with researchers in the Department of Dietary and Meal Sciences to study the impact of dietary fiber on influencing the course of the disease.

The hope is to identify bacteria that are beneficial for mucus function and thus ultimately lead to the development of a new generation of probiotics to prevent and treat ulcerative colitis.

The project continues for three years.