The Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI) employs an interdisciplinary research approach based on the realization that microbiomes act as primary reservoirs for ARBPs. By elucidating how microbiomes can control the colonization, persistence, and virulence of ARBPs, CMFI explores new avenues for preventing and treating ARBP infections.Key findings from the first CMFI funding period showed that commensal microbiome members can exclude specific ARBPs without compromising microbiome integrity. CMFI identified key commensal species that shape microbiomes, discovered novel ARBPs-eliminating antimicrobials produced by commensals, and showed that also drugs for treatment of non-infectious diseases have microbiome-perturbing impacts. CMFI researchers identified gut microbes that share an evolutionary history with their hosts and have adapted specifically to the human body. Importantly, CMFI demonstrated in proof-of-principle studies how to remove methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, an important ARBP, from the nasal microbiome. These achievements were enabled by capitalizing on CMFI’s fundamental discoveries, which are now moved into clinical application.

Based on the proven success of its scientific approach, CMFI is uniquely positioned to enter a highly prolific phase of fundamental and translational microbiome research with an even broader, systems-wide perspective. CMFI’s success in the first phase was enabled by its longstanding collaborative and interdisciplinary research network. CMFI advanced its functional microbiome science strategy by recruiting new, excellent faculty and by creating an integrative technological and educational environment. The cluster will continue to pursue this productive approach with further world-class recruitments in key areas. Scientifically, CMFI will leverage its discoveries in an integrative approach, exploring new strategies of microbiome control. Emphasis will be placed on strain-level differences, evolutionary adaptation in host-specific contexts, and clinical exploitation of critical microbial fitness mechanisms. Building on its groundbreaking achievements, CMFI will further advance technological development, training, and public outreach activities, thereby paving the way for effective microbiome-targeted diagnostics and interventions to fight ARBP infections and other microbiome-associated diseases.

Involved Institution:

• Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie