Research Projects
Our focus is to study and develop microbes that are useful for food and gut health. We combine screening and fundamental characterization with functional and mechanistic studies to study microbes from the environment, food and gut ecosystems. In addition, innovative bioprocessing technologies are also developed. The role and functions of the human gut microbiota, bacteria and artificial consortia on host health and their response to food and nutritional components are investigated using integrated multi-scale in vitro and in vivo strategies.
Current Projects (2019) - C. Lacroix
- Reduction of tyramine in fermented foods (BLV)
- Novel technology for evolutionary engineering of functional microbes and their validation in the human gut fermentation (ETHIRA-Grant)
- An in vitro platform for predicting how gut microbes and microbial communities modulate effective exposure to chemicals in the colon (ETHIRA-Grant)
- Direct fed Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri for Prevention of Campylobacter colonization of Chicken (WFSC-Coop)
- Probiotic GOS and lactoferrin for beneficial gut microbiota with iron supplements (NIH)
- Modelling the spread of antibiotic resistance genes between chicken and humans (SNF NRP 72)
- Deciphering the role of vitamins B9 and B12 as modulators of the human gut microbiota (SNF)
- Does colonization of butyrate producers impact susceptibility to atopic dermatitis? (Biostime)
- Herbal safety in the pregnancy –Treatment options for nonpsychotic mental diseases (SNF-Sinergia)
List of past projects
- Development of multifunctional bakery bioingredients and nutritional supplements by fermentation of cocultures of lactic acid bacteria and propionibacteria – Commission Technology Innovation & Industry
- Effects of dietary nucleotides on gut microbiota studied with in vitro fermentation models – Industry
- Potential and mechanisms of Lactobacillus casei to prevent Clostridium difficile infection studied in a combined in vitro intestinal fermentation - cellular model- Industry
- Evaluation of micronutrient powder to maximizing effects on iron bioavailability and assessing effects on the gut microbiota - Bill Gates NIH & Swiss National Science Foundation & Industry
- The role of gut microbiota metabolism of lactate in the etiology of infant colic and digestive symptoms: Development of a trophic intervention with functional bacteria – Swiss National Science Foundation
- Genomic Approach to Identify Interactions between Microbes during Food Fermentation and Biopreservation - Swiss National Science Foundation
- Innovative technology for the production of functional and safe human colonic microbiota for microbial transplantation - ETHIRA-Grant
- Investigation and exploitation of propionibacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli naturally present in human breast milk – Sciex
- ERAfrica Safe Dairy – Health hazards caused by bacteria in traditional African fermented dairy products: Food safety and epidemiology
- Pathogenic streptococci in East-African milk products: prevalence, diversity and health hazards for children - UBS Optimus
- BioControl: Novel approach to biologically control spoilage of fresh vegetables using naturally produced reuterin - WFSC - Coop Research Program; Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- The Microbe-Host Interface: Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Protective and Pathological Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses within the Gut - Swiss National Science Foundation - Sinergia
- Prebiotic fermentation tested in vitro colonic fermentation systems – Industry & Swiss National Science Foundation
- Development of the first re-assembled functional intestinal microbiota for safe and effective treatment of Clostridium difficile infections - Pioneer Fellowship
- Reduction of tyramine in fermented foods- Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (BLV)