Research

Question-driven Investigation

Do you know microbes are the true rulers of Earth? The planet can exist without humans, but not without microbes.
Are you aware your entire body is covered with microbes? Your health, behavior, and emotions are constantly influenced by these invisible and untouchable microbes.
Do you know the microbes in the Earth and in your body might hold the key to the next generation of drug molecules?
Here with us, you will gain a deeper understanding of all these questions.

1. The Earth: The Biggest Ecosystem

Microbes are essential in driving Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Serving as both primary producers and principal decomposers within Earth’s ecosystems, these microbes are responsible for ~70% of Earth’s oxygen production, thereby rendering our planet the sole habitable environment for humans in the known universe. Recent advancements in metagenomic sequencing technologies and assembly algorithms have facilitated a more profound exploration of the microbial world. These technologies act like a magnifying glass, elucidating the mechanisms through which microbes influence biogeochemical cycles and sustain biodiversity, thereby underscoring their essential role in the sustenance of Earth’s life systems.

By studying natural product structures, biosynthesis, and function to elucidate and harness microbe-microbe interactions, we aim to decode the chemical language of microbes, thereby facilitating the discovery of drug leads for the treatment of infectious diseases.

2. Humans: The Supperorganism

Human microbiota is not simply resident within our body, but also they are active in health maintenance and disease prevention. These microbes are essential in nutrient and drug digestion and absorption, profoundly impacting the body’s reaction to dietary shifts and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, human microbiota plays a pivotal role in immune system development, instructing it to distinguish between pathogens and probiotics. The composition and diversity of human microbiota, influenced by genetics, diet, environmental factors, and lifestyle, varies among individuals. Imbalances in microbiota, termed dysbiosis, has been associated with various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Our research into the interactions between the human body and microbiota seeks to identify microbial-derived small molecules or natural products linked to human diseases.

问题为导向的探索

你是否知道微生物才是地球的主宰者？地球可以没有人类，但不可以没有微生物。
你是否知道你全身上下都布满微生物？你的健康、行为和情绪时时刻刻受到这些看不见摸不着的微生物影响。
你是否知道地球生态环境和你身体中的微生物可能蕴藏着新一代的药物分子？
在我们这里，你将对以上问题获得更深入的了解。

1、地球：最大的生态系统

微生物在驱动生物地球化学循环方面发挥着核心作用。作为地球生态系统的基础生产者和有机物的主要分解者，微生物制造了地球上约70%的氧气，使地球成为宇宙中目前已知的唯一适合人类居住的星球。借助过去十年中宏基因组测序技术和组装算法的显著进步，我们得以深入探索这些微生物。这些技术如同放大镜，让我们得以窥见微生物如何驱动生物地球化学循环，维持生物多样性，揭示了它们在地球生命系统中不可或缺的角色。

从天然产物化学结构及其生物合成过程和功能作用，阐明和利用微生物之间的相互作用关系，解码微生物的化学语言，从而发现用于治疗感染疾病的药物先导化合物。

2、人类：超级生物体

人类微生物不仅是人体内的被动居住者，而且是维持健康和预防疾病的积极参与者。人类微生物群在消化和吸收营养物质及药物中发挥关键作用，显著影响身体对饮食变化和药物的反应。此外，人类微生物参与塑造免疫系统，教导人体免疫系统区分病原菌和益生菌。人类微生物的组成和多样性因个体而异，受遗传、饮食、环境和生活方式等因素的影响。微生物群平衡的破坏，即菌群失调，已与多种疾病相关联，包括肥胖、糖尿病、炎症性肠病，甚至包括抑郁症和焦虑症等心理健康障碍。

我们通过研究人体与微生物的相互作用，旨在发现与人类疾病相关的微生物小分子天然产物，并探讨哪些小分子化合物会影响人体健康状态。