Learn more about our work in the field of gut health and meet our interdisciplinary team of scientists, physicians, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians.
Neuigkeiten & Termine
Hier können Sie sich über bevorstehende Veranstaltungen informieren, erfahren mehr über aktuelle Pressemeldungen & Neuigkeiten des Interdisziplinären Zentrums für Darmgesundheit..
The Interdisciplinary Center for Gut Health (ICGH) brings together experts from multiple disciplines to advance complementary research in the field of gut health.
Our interdisciplinary team comprises scientists, physicians, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians with various fields of expertise, including human molecular genetics, developmental biology, stem cell research, immunology, infectiology, gastroenterology, psychosomatics, surgery, endoscopy, pathology, bioinformatics and biostatistics. Most team members are located at research institutions in the cities of Heidelberg and Mannheim in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Further members are based in the adjacent federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria. Our experimental portfolio is optimally complemented by Core Facilities of Heidelberg University and the University Hospitals in both Heidelberg and Mannheim, as well as collaboration partners.
Our team aims to unravel molecular causes of gastrointestinal diseases like Hirschsprung disease, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn disease and Ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, we have recently started focusing our research on extra-intestinal disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders and Parkinson disease. The ICGH is part of the 3R Network Baden-Württemberg and was funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg between 2021 and 2024. The 3R principle is anchored in the German Animal Protection Act and stands for replacement, as in the case of the ICGH, reduction and refinement of animal experiments.
Our team
Dr. rer. nat. Stefanie Schmitteckert
project lead
Human Genetics
Institute of Human Genetics
Heidelberg University Hospital Im Neuenheiner Feld 366 69120 Heidelberg
We consider ourselves a collaboration platform of complementary disciplines, essentially combining clinical and basic research, as well as bioinformatics and biostatistics. We apply complementary research approaches, modeling of human diseases in the cell culture dish, translational approaches - from lab to bedside, detailed phenotyping of patients as well as complex integrative data analyses.
In particular, we aim to investigate the underlying molecular disturbances of the enteric nervous system, the immune and the intestinal barrier function in intestinal disorders using appropriate human cell models. In the long term, we plan to generate patient-specific 3D organoids from corresponding intestinal epithelial, immune, and neuronal cells in which individual organ functions can be reproduced and studied in detail. These analyses will be complemented by detailed phenotyping of patients and the collection of clinical data. Finally, the collected data will help us to better understand the underlying pathomechanisms in a holistic way and to support the development of alternative therapeutic options.
to understand and treat underlying molecular disturbances that contribute to the development of intestinal disorders.
Improve diagnostics & therapy
to enable patients to lead symptom-free or almost symptom-free lives suffering from distressing and even life-threatening disorders.
Individual & social benefit
Our overall goal is to support patients and their families to achieve a better gut health, to improve their quality of life and, in the long term, to reduce costs to our healthcare system and society.
Our research approach & expertise
The regulation of intestinal homeostasis is complex and many gastrointestinal diseases are often caused by an impaired function of the enteric nervous system, as well as an overreaction of the immune system due to impaired intestinal barrier function (leaky gut).
Data suggests that the individual genetic background, in interaction with an individual intestinal microbiota, can impair intestinal barrier function, alter the nervous and immune system, and thus affect intestinal homeostasis. This can contribute to various gastrointestinal, as well as extra-intestinal disorders, ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to inflammatory bowel disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer.
Our goal is to establish complementary analyses of compartment-specific regulation at the gene and protein level to contribute to a better understanding of pathogenic processes in intestinal diseases. We aim to identify biomarkers and sub-groups of patients to advance the development of new diagnostic methods and ultimately promote alternative as well as patient-specific therapeutic approaches.
What's new? In current press reports you can learn even more about us and our work.
January 16, 2025
The 3R-Network Baden Württemberg – Strong Partners, Strong Projects
Developing alternatives to animal testing and using such replacement methods to advance biomedical research – these are the goals of the 3R Network Baden-Württemberg. At universities and research institutions in the state, interdisciplinary research groups are pooling their expertise – for the sake of animal welfare and progress in biomedicine. The network consists of 3R centers as well as research and teaching projects that complement each other thematically at a high level. Replacement and supplementary methods such as computer simulations, organ-on-chip models or plants as “green vessels” advance biomedical research in general. Patients ultimately benefit from the transfer of high-quality research results into clinical application.
Further information about the 3R Network Baden-Württemberg can be found here:
New Baden-Wuerttemberg network to reduce animal testing
With the aim of reducing the number of animal experiments and further improving animal welfare, a new network is being created in Baden-Württemberg ...
