AI in Microbiome and Aging Research
Dr. H. Melike Dönertas
Group Leader
Overview
Microbiome Shifts and Aging Insights
The microbiome consists of complex and diverse communities of microorganisms that can live in and on other living beings, including humans. These microbial communities, together with their genetic and metabolic influences, play a crucial role in health and disease.
In recent years, research has shown that the microbiome is closely associated with many age-related diseases and that the composition and diversity of the microbiome undergo age-related changes. Studies using microbiota transfer have even suggested a causal link between the microbiome and aging, though the underlying biology remains poorly understood.
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Outstanding Questions
Cooperations
Lab News
Ageing in the selection shadow
A review article now published in “Nature Reviews Genetics” brings together evolutionary theory, comparative genomics and large-scale human genetics to explain why we age and why ageing rates differ among individuals and species. The two authors—from the Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena and University College London in London—describe how, because modern humans now routinely survive into old age, we live with the late-life consequences of biological pathways that natural selection optimized for youth, and of harmful mutations that act too late in life for selection to clear them efficiently. Reading ageing through this evolutionary lens also clarifies why age-related diseases share genetic roots — and points to targeting a small set of ancient, conserved pathways to counter several of them at once.
Aging research in the spotlight: A look back, the status quo, and a vision for the future
Scientists around the world are trying to solve the “mystery of aging” and understand what “aging” means—biologically, clinically, and socially. In the newly published perspective article “Past, present, and future perspectives on the science of aging” in the Nature Aging journal, more than 50 researchers from various disciplines review the achievements of aging research so far and draw a vision for the future. Among those contributing to the article is Dr. Handan Melike Dönertaş from the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany. With her research group “AI in Microbiome and Aging Research”, she is providing important impetus for the systems biology of aging.
Extension of CRC 1310
The Collaborative Research Center 1310 (“Predictability in Evolution”), in which Prof. Dr. Dario R. Valenzano and Dr. H. Melike Dönertas are involved, has been successfully extended for its third phase at the end of November 2025.
A look back at the Aging & Microbiome Conference 2025
Almost 100 researchers from around the world gathered at AMC25 in the Rosensäle Jena to discuss the latest findings on microbiomes and aging processes. In addition to presentations, the Zeiss Planetarium program provided opportunities for discussion, networking, and making new contacts.
Collaboration fuels advancements in microbiome and aging research
Postdoctoral researcher Ezgi Özkurt from the Quadram Institute and the Earlham Institute in Norwich (England) was a guest of Melike Dönertas' FLI research group for a 6-week research visit.
JMM 2023 - Great and successful start
On May 8, 2023, for first time, the "Jena Microbiome Meeting 2023" (JMM 2023) took place at the Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI). This meeting was initiated and organized by the 3 newly appointed junior group leaders at FLI, Dr. Clara Correia-Melo, Dr. Melike Dönertaş and Dr. Katarzyna Winek, with the aim to introduce their research to the local community and to encourage collaborative, interdisciplinary cooperation among microbiome researchers in Jena.
A mathematician seeking solutions to aging
Spotlight on the FLI Team (4): Mark Olenik, Research Group Dönertas
New research group on AI in microbiome and aging research starts at FLI
In January 2023, the research group led by computational biologist H. Melike Dönertas began its work. It is starting with projects at the interface of data science, microbiome and aging research.
