Benakis Lab – Microbiome–gut–brain interactions

Corinne Benakis, Principal Investigator

I received my master’s in Biochemistry from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. I then moved to Australia for a master’s program at Queensland University, where I first became interested in the molecular basis of neuronal communication. In 2011, I earned my PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Lausanne under the supervision of Dr. Lorenz Hirt, Professor of Neurology. I specifically studied the role of a neuroprotective compound – a JNK inhibitor – on microglia activation and peripheral inflammation after stroke. I then joined the laboratory of Prof. Costantino Iadecola at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York as a postdoctoral fellow –funded by the Swiss National Research Foundation – where my work highlighted for the first time the role of gut microbiota and intestinal immune cells in stroke. In July 2016, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Arthur Liesz at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) in Munich, with a Marie-Curie Sklodowska-Curie European fellowship to develop my own research topic on the specific role of gut metabolites, specifically tryptophan metabolites, in immune cell polarization in the context of brain injury. In April 2020, I founded my own research group at the ISD – with a DFG grant – investigating the critical role of the gut microbiome in stroke. I have a passion for communicating science using powerful visuals, and in my free time I like nothing better than to travel the world in search of new culinary experiences.

Laura Diaz, Postdoc

During my Biology dregee studies and during my master studies in Cellular Biology, I received several grants to work as undergraduate fellow in different biomedical areas and research centers and, such as the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) or the Spanish National Cardiovascular Research Center (CNIC). Then, I decided to change the café con leche of my natal city, Madrid, to the pa amb tomàquet of Barcelona, where I developed my PhD with a research fellowship from La Caixa Bank Foundation. Under the supervision of Dr. Anna Planas and Dr. Francesc-Miró, I investigated on the role of stroke on the intestinal immune system, microbiota and gut barrier. This is an amazing field with many different interconnected key players, what requires multiperspective approaches and lateral thinking, making it super challenging (and motivational at the same time). Now I have the pleasure to work as a postdoc researcher at the Benakis Lab, one of the pioneers on the topic, to go deeper in the gut-brain connection in stroke.

Out of the lab I like to participate in science dissemination activities, learning psychology, dancing latin music, and enjoying anime. 

Rosa Delgado, PhD Candidate

After finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in Madrid, I discovered the fascinating world of neuroscience while doing an internship in the laboratory of Dr. Emery Brown in Boston. For my master’s thesis, I investigated the communication between vasculature and neurogenesis under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar. I am currently a PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Benakis, where I am studying the role of gut microbiota-derived metabolites on chronic inflammation after stroke. If you don’t see me in the lab, I’m probably outside in the fresh air, doing sports, or traveling around Europe! 

Adam Sorbie, Research associate

I received my Master’s degree in Infection Biology from the University of Glasgow in 2016. During this time, I developed a keen interest in microbiota research which led me to pursue a PhD in the laboratory of Professor Dirk Haller, studying the role of the microbiota and metabolome in colorectal cancer. Despite my background as a wet-lab biologist, I developed a passion for computational biology while working on my PhD. My current research interests reflect this and are centred around the interactions of microbiota and host metabolites and their influence on disease. I am also interested how we can integrate different data types and spatiotemporal sampling designs to better understand these interactions. In 2021, I joined the Benakis lab where I will utilise bioinformatic and machine learning tools to investigate and characterise microbes and metabolites modulating stroke outcome. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, travelling and playing guitar.

Monica Weiler, Lab Technician

I was born in Romania, where I studied biology and worked as a teacher for several years. Once I came to Germany, I became interested in lab work, so I trained as a lab technician and received my PhD in Immunology from LMU Munich. I support the lab members during various daily experiments and by taking care of orders and other organizational issues. Outside the lab, I love to cook with friends, read a good book, take a walk outside or travel and discover new and interesting places.