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                                          3. BenakisLab

                                          Benakis Lab – Microbiome–gut–brain interactions

                                          • Research focus
                                          • Team
                                          • The PI
                                          • Publications
                                          microbiome

                                          The gut microbiome has been reproducibly demonstrated to play a pivotal role in brain health and brain disease. Recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that stroke outcome is substantially impacted by the composition of the gut microbiome, which acts as a key modulator of immunity and metabolism (Benakis et al., Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 2020; Benakis et al., Nat. Med. 2016). The research focus of our lab is to understand the bidirectional link between the gut microbiome and the brain after stroke. This research paradigm will enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve recovery in stroke patients.

                                          Gut-to-brain communication may occur via the production of metabolites from gut-resident bacteria. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence showing that metabolites derived from the microbiome influence brain diseases by regulating intestinal immune-cell function. The key objective of our research group is to investigate whether metabolites produced by gut bacteria can influence stroke-induced neuroinflammation, as well as post-stroke comorbidities such as chronic neuroinflammation, cognitive decline, depression, and pain.

                                          To reach this goal, we use a combination of metabolomics, metagenomics, flow cytometry analysis, single-cell sorting, and in-vitro immune cell culture, as well as mouse models (photo-convertible transgenic mice, humanized-fecal microbiota transplantation mice, probiotics/postbiotics) to elucidate the mechanisms involved in microbiome-gut-brain interactions.

                                          Contact: 

                                          Corinne Benakis

                                          Phone: +49 89 4400 46205

                                          E-Mail: Corinne.Benakis@med.uni-muenchen.de


                                          Image credit: Dr. Stefan Roth


                                          Corinne Benakis

                                          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.

                                          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! 

                                          Isha Yogesh

                                          I come from India, where I spent most of my childhood. I did my Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology at Jacobs University Bremen, where my thesis focused on the microbiology of cocoa fermentation and proteomics. In 2018, I began my master’s in Human Biology at LMU, Munich. My internships during this degree were in the field of immunology in AG Brocker at the Biomedical Center and stroke immunology in AG Liesz at the ISD, which are extremely fascinating to me. As an MSc. Student in AG Benakis, my work focuses on the role of the tryptophan pathway in regulating immune cells after stroke. When not in lab, I enjoy learning languages, writing, and the occasional sport. 

                                          Alexander Beer – Intern

                                          Originally from the Ruhrgebiet in West Germany, I obtained my bachelor’s degree 2019 in Molecular Biology at the Westphalian University of Recklinghausen. For my bachelor thesis, I joined the group of Professor Matthias Gunzer at the Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging (University Hospital Essen). There, my work focused on the impact of neutrophil dynamics in gut-associated lymphoid tissue after ischemic stroke. For my master studies in Medical Biology, I joined the University of Duisburg-Essen. Additionally, I worked in the Gunzer group as a research assistant to further deepen my knowledge in the field of stroke-immunology. Here at the ISD, I am conducting a research internship in the group of Dr. Benakis. During my project, I will investigate the role of gut metabolites on immune cell polarization after stroke. Outside the lab I enjoy going to the mountains for hiking or snowboarding as well as reading a good book or following my favorite soccer team on TV.

                                          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.

                                          Past members

                                          Rebecca Sadler | Postdoc (2019-2020)

                                          Diana Fink, Master’s student

                                          Microbiome-Gut-Brain-Interactions-Lab

                                          Corinne Benakis

                                          Corinne Benakis, Principal investigator

                                          My research interest focuses on understanding the role of the microbiome in stroke, with a focus on intestinal immune function and microbial metabolites.

                                          I am fascinated by the interaction of these two highly complex super-organisms: the gut microbiome and the brain, particularly how commensal bacteria regulate the immune response and influence stroke outcome. I believe that a better understanding of how the gut interacts with the brain may provide new therapeutic avenues to protect the brain after stroke.

                                          The scientific goal of my lab is to better understand how the gut microbiome may influence stroke outcome and post-stroke comorbidities, including motor dysfunction, chronic pain such as visceral pain, cognitive decline and depression which impair critically the quality of life. Modulation of the microbiome – specially microbial metabolites – by dietary interventions may have strong therapeutic implications in stroke.

                                          Benakis showing Symposium

                                          Current academic positions

                                          2020-now Independent group leader, Institute for Stroke and Dementia (ISD), Ludwig Maximilians-University of Munich (LMU), Germany

                                          2016-2020 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Fellowship, Laboratory of Dr. Liesz, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany

                                          2012-2016 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship, Laboratory of Prof. Iadecola and Prof. Anrather, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA

                                          2007-2011 PhD in Neuroscience, Laboratory of Prof. Hirt, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Switzerland

                                          2006-2007 Master internship in Neuroscience, Laboratory of Prof. Meunier, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Australia

                                          1999-2005 Master in Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Geneva, Switzerland

                                          Funding

                                          2019-2022: German Research Foundation Project Grant (DFG)

                                          2017-2019: Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Individual Fellowship

                                          2012-2015: Swiss National Science Foundation Individual Fellowship

                                          2010: Academic Society of Vaud Doctoral Individual Fellowship

                                          2006: University of Geneva Master Mobility Scholarship

                                          Honors & Awards

                                          2020: SyNergy postdoc award

                                          2020-2021: ImmunoStroke postdoc female award

                                          2017-2019: SyNergy travel grant

                                          2016: SfN Trainee Professional Development Award

                                          2011: PhD Excellence Prize, Amicitia foundation

                                          2010-2011: Best Didactic Poster Award, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland

                                          2010: Swiss Society for Neuroscience travel fellowship

                                          2009: Swiss Neuroscience Doctoral School travel grant


                                          2020

                                          Delgado Jiménez R, Benakis C. The Gut Ecosystem: A Critical Player in Stroke. Neuromolecular Med. 2020 Nov 18. 

                                          Benakis C, Poon C, Lane D, Brea D, Sita G, Moore J, Murphy M, Racchumi G, Iadecola C, Anrather A. Distinct commensal bacterial signature in the gut is associated with acute and long-term protection from ischemic stroke. Stroke. 2020, 51, 1844-1854.

                                          Benakis C, Martin-Gallausiaux C, Trezzi JP, Melton P, Liesz A, Wilmes P. The microbiome-gut-brain axis in acute and chronic brain diseases. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 2020, 61, 1-9.

                                          2019

                                          Sadler R, Cramer JV, Heindl S, Kostidis S, Betz D, Zuurbier KR, Northoff BH, Heijink M, Goldberg MP, Plautz EJ, Roth S, Malik R, Dichgans M, Holdt LM, Benakis C, Giera M, Stowe AM, Liesz A. Short-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Poststroke Recovery via Immunological Mechanisms. J. Neurosci. 2019, 40: 1162-1173.

                                          Cramer JV, Benakis C, Liesz A. T cells in the post-ischemic brain: Troopers or paramedics? J. Neuroimmunol. 2019, 326:33-37.

                                          2018

                                          García-Bonilla L, Brea D, Benakis C, Lane D, Murphy M, Moore J, Racchumi G, Jiang X, Iadecola C and Anrather J. Endogenous protection from ischemic brain injury by preconditioned monocytes. J. Neurosci. 2018, 38: 6722–6736.

                                          Benakis C, Llovera G and Liesz A. The meningeal and choroidal infiltration routes for leukocytes in stroke. Ther. Adv. Neurol. Disord. 2018, 11: 1–13.

                                          2017

                                          Llovera G, Benakis C, Enzmann G, Cai R, Arzberger T, Ghasemigharagoz A, Mao X, Malik R, Lazarevic I, Liebscher S, Ertürk A, Meissner L, Vivien D, Haffner C, Plesnila N, Montaner J, Engelhardt B and Liesz A. The choroid plexus is a key cerebral invasion route for T cells after stroke. Acta Neuropathol. 2017, 134: 1-18.

                                          Sadler R, Singh V, Benakis C, Garzetti D, Brea D, Stecher B, Anrather J and Liesz A. Microbiota differences between commercial breeders impacts the post-stroke immune response. Brain Behav. Immun. Epub 2017 Mar 24.

                                          2016

                                          Benakis C, Brea D, Caballero S, Faraco G, Moore J, Murphy M, Sita G, Racchumi G, Ling L, Pamer EG, Iadecola C, Anrather J. Commensal microbiota affects ischemic stroke outcome by regulating intestinal T cells. Nat. Med. 2016, 22: 516-523.

                                          2015

                                          Benakis C, Garcia-Bonilla L, Iadecola C, Anrather J. The role of microglia and myeloid immune cells in acute cerebral ischemia. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 2015, 8: 1-16.

                                          2014

                                          Garcia-Bonilla L, Benakis C, Iadecola C, Anrather J. Immune mechanisms in cerebral ischemic tolerance. Front. Neurosci. 2014, 8: 44.

                                          2012

                                          Benakis C, Vaslin A, Pasquali C, Hirt L. Neuroprotection by inhibiting the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway after cerebral ischemia occurs independently of Interleukin-6 and Keratinocyte-derived Chemokine (KC/CXCL1) secretion. J. Neuroinflammation 2012, 25: 76.

                                          2010

                                          Benakis C, Bonny C, Hirt L. JNK inhibition and inflammation after cerebral ischemia. Brain Behav. Immun. 2010, 24: 800-811.

                                          2009

                                          Benakis C, Hirt L, Du Pasquier RA. Inflammation and Stroke. Cardiovasc. Med. 2009, 12: 143-150.

                                          Follow us on Twitter: @CorinneBenakis

                                          Contact

                                          Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD)
                                          University Hospital, LMU Munich

                                          Director: Prof. Dr. med. Martin Dichgans

                                          Feodor-Lynen-Straße 17

                                          81377 Munich, Germany

                                          Phone: +49 (0)89 4400 46019
                                          www.isd-research.de
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