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Microbes may be invisible to the eye, but they are ubiquitous. They are the influential forces behind the regulation of key processes in our environment, for example the carbon cycle. Many microorganisms are not yet known or cannot be maintained in culture. More information about the diversity of species is provided by modern molecular genetic methods, which nowadays allow the entirety of the genome of a habitat – the so-called metagenome – to be investigated. However, the complex analysis of this vast amount of data with a multitude of computer programmes still poses major problems for the researchers. For this reason, scientists of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, the University of Vienna and the University of Bielefeld just started an initiative titled "CAMI – Critical Assessment of Metagenome Interpretation", that tests the tools of metagenome analysis and defines new standards and application options. The researchers published their results in the scientific journal Nature Methods.

Effective 1 October 2017 Silke Tannapfel assumed the responsibilities of the Administrative Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig. The former head of the Division for Extramural Research Support and Cross-state Bodies in the Bavarian State Ministry for Economy and Media, Energy and Technology based in Munich is the successor to Franziska Broer, who was appointed Executive Manager of the Helmholtz Association in August of last year.

Pathogenic bacteria are becoming resistant to common antibiotics to an ever increasing degree. One of the most difficult germs is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen that elicits serious infections in humans and is resistant to a range of antibiotics. Researchers are therefore actively looking for targets for alternative agents that attenuate the bacteria. Pseudomonads can survive in so-called biofilms, which are dense constructs in which the individual bacteria are protected from the immune system and medications. In order to be able to produce a biofilm, the bacteria first have to communicate with each other by means of chemical signals. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig determined the three-dimensional structure of a protein that is involved in the production of the signaling molecules. Based on this structure, it is now possible to model perfectly fitting inhibitory substances that interrupt the signaling pathway to render the bacteria "mute". The scientists published their results in the international journal ChemBioChem.

The Hannover Medical School (MHH) has seen a great deal of change over the past few years: The school has recently undergone a phase of economic consolidation which also included a change of leadership. Prof Christopher Baum took over the role of President from Prof Dieter Bitter-Suermann four years ago – and inherited a whole host of collaboration projects with the HZI in the process. Christopher Baum spoke to InFact about the developments at the MHH and his plans for expanding the partnership with the HZI.

Over the past few years, public awareness of the microbial communities in our gut has grown significantly – partially thanks to Giulia Enders' book "Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body's Most Under-Rated Organ". Scientific studies on antibiotics and the microbiota have also attracted attention: The use of these products is hypothesised to disrupt the sensitive inhabitants of our intestine and may cause serious damage. So how can we protect our gut flora against this?

Chronic lung infections caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa require complex and, in most cases, long-term treatment with antibiotics. It is generally not possible to completely heal the infection or even significantly reduce the bacterial load—new medication is badly needed. Scientists at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) are now improving an anti-infective active ingredient with a new mode of action. The starting point is a substance that can block the pathogenicity of the bacterium and weaken its protective biofilm. The Helmholtz Validation Fund, the DZIF and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) are contributing a joint investment of 2.7 million euros to improve this class of substance, aiming to achieve a preclinical candidate.