Growing evidence supports a role of gut microbes in shaping host physiology and the course of chronic metabolic diseases, such as type 1 ad type 2 diabetes. The microbial metabolism of dietary components and the consequential production of a wide array of metabolites  are postulated to play a major role in the microbiota-mediated regulation of host metabolic and immune responses, since microbiota-derived metabolites are sensed by host (intestinal and extra-intestinal) cells .

Nonetheless, the functions of specific bacterial communities and the impact and mechanisms of action of bacterial metabolites in the microbiota-host relationship process remain poorly understood. My research line aims to identify beneficial bacterial strains and to elucidate the effects of specific microbial metabolites (derivatives of tryptophan metabolism) on endocrine and immune cells in the context of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, we employ in vitro mechanistic studies as well as pre-clinical in vivo studies. Moreover, we are also conducting clinical research trials to translate our findings into the clinic.

Current funding: ZonMw VIDI, 2023; AII collaboration grant, 2022; ACS out-of-the-box, 2022&2021; ACS equipment grant, 2022, DKF innovation grant, 2021; TKI-PPP Health Holland, 2020

Microbiota-derived signals in autoimmune and obesity-associated diabetes