Smoking and the human microbiome
Over 1 billion people worldwide smoke cigarettes, creating a significant global health and economic burden. As the human microbiome plays a crucial role in health, smoking-induced alterations have gained increasing interest in recent research. Within the framework of the DZL, we investigate the impact of smoking on both the respiratory and the gut microbiome, with special focus on the bidirectional interaction between both microbiomes via the gut-lung axis. A key aspect of our research is to enhance our understanding of microbiome alterations associated with the use of e-cigarettes and their specific ingredients.
Our primary focus is on smoking cessation and the regeneration of microbiomes toward a healthy state. We aim to elucidate the temporal dynamics of microbiome changes following smoking cessation, considering the highly individualized nature of these processes. In particular, we seek to identify keystone taxa that drive microbiome recovery and to support these beneficial microbial communities through targeted interventions involving probiotics and prebiotics. In cooperation with partners of the DZL, mainly the Research Center Borstel, we analyze the effects of smoking and cessation on the microbiome among the entire respiratory tract in the frame of several cross-sectional and longitudinal study cohorts to identify both general effects and individual responses.
Over 1 billion people worldwide smoke cigarettes, creating a significant global health and economic burden. As the human microbiome plays a crucial role in health, smoking-induced alterations have gained increasing interest in recent research. Within the framework of the DZL, we investigate the impact of smoking on both the respiratory and the gut microbiome, with special focus on the bidirectional interaction between both microbiomes via the gut-lung axis. A key aspect of our research is to enhance our understanding of microbiome alterations associated with the use of e-cigarettes and their specific ingredients.
Our primary focus is on smoking cessation and the regeneration of microbiomes toward a healthy state. We aim to elucidate the temporal dynamics of microbiome changes following smoking cessation, considering the highly individualized nature of these processes. In particular, we seek to identify keystone taxa that drive microbiome recovery and to support these beneficial microbial communities through targeted interventions involving probiotics and prebiotics. In cooperation with partners of the DZL, mainly the Research Center Borstel, we analyze the effects of smoking and cessation on the microbiome among the entire respiratory tract in the frame of several cross-sectional and longitudinal study cohorts to identify both general effects and individual responses.
