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
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.
