The importance of communication becomes apparent in daily interactions: It is used to exchange information, to express feelings, to solve problems, or to celebrate successes. Communication is essential for making contacts and staying in balance. But communication is not only indispensable for us humans, it is also crucial for the microuniverse. Research into the interaction and communication of microorganisms is the subject of the Jena Cluster of Excellence ­Balance of the Microverse.

Millions of microorganisms can inhabit the human body – whether on the skin or as part of the natural intestinal flora. In most cases, they are completely harmless to healthy people, and contribute to our well-being. But for people with a weak immune system, some organisms that are actually harmless can cause diseases. The extinction of certain plants, or the pollution of waters by unexpected enormous algae growth are further indications of sudden imbalances in nature that have an enormous impact on the functioning and health of entire ecosystems.

Scientists in Jena are trying to uncover the causes of such imbalances in the coexistence of microorganisms in the Balance of the Microverse Cluster of Excellence. The focus of their research is on the smallest living beings – the microorganisms. Those live together in microbial communities, so-called microbial consortia consisting of a multitude of tiny organisms. Both, in the human microbiome as well as in water or in the plant world, they form complex networks in which they interact and communicate with each other and with their environment via molecular messengers. Their interactions and interplay is being studied by the ten research institutions involved in the Cluster of Excellence.

“How do harmonious balances arise in such microbial universes, which are essential for the functioning of a healthy environment? What are the key factors that upset these balances and result in negative effects for humans and entire ecosystems? And what regulatory mechanisms do microbial consortia have to regenerate after a disruption? All these issues are addressed by the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse. In order to find answers to these questions, Leibniz IPHT provides high-resolution and highly sensitive imaging methods with microscopy and spectroscopy, or continuously develop them further together with the partners involved. In this way, we create the technological prerequisites for gaining insights into the communication of microorganisms,” explains Prof. Dr. Christian Eggeling, head of the Biophysical Imaging Research Department at Leibniz IPHT and subproject leader in the Cluster of Excellence.

The Microverse Imaging Center, which is currently under construction, will contribute to this understanding. The state-of-the-art microscopy center for imaging technologies is intended to support the participating institutions of the cluster on their journey of discovery through the microcosm. Here, researchers will not only find commercial Raman spectroscopic and microscopic instruments to answer their research questions, but new forward-looking solutions will also be created in the Imaging Vision Room in close collaboration with the optics experts at Leibniz IPHT.

“Our bioimaging methods, and the insights into the interplay of microorganisms gained, open up new potential, for example for research into alternative healing and treatment methods for diseases that specifically combat infectious pathogens while bacteria that are indispensable for the immune system are not attacked, thus maintaining the balance in the microbiome,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Eggeling.

The Jena School for Microbial ­Communication (JSMC) at Friedrich ­Schiller University Jena is affiliated to the Cluster of Excellence. The excellence graduate school supports young scientists on their academic career with a comprehensive interdisciplinary training program. Doctoral students are given the opportunity for further education and networking as well as scientific exchange with various workshops, training courses and research stays.

The Balance of the ­Microverse Cluster of Excellence is ­funded by the German ­Research ­Foundation (Deutsche ­Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) with 38 million euros.

Further information on the Balance of the Microverse: www.microverse-cluster.de

Further information on the Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC): www.jsmc-phd.de

In the picture:
The lensless interferometric scattering microscope was developed as part of the Microverse Imaging Center by Dr. Ondrej Stranik (in the picture left) and Prof. Dr. Rainer Heintzmann (in the picture right) from the Microscopy Research Department. The extremely compact optical system makes it possible to determine the distribution of molecules and bacteria without labeling, and thus to understand the interaction between microorganisms via their molecular messengers.
©Sven Döring

Projects of Leibniz IPHT ­within the ­Cluster of Excellence ­Balance of the ­Microverse