Quorum sensing peptides are small protein-like compounds, which are used by certain bacteria to communicate with each other. However, this phenomenon is not limited to the bacteria themselves: recent research demonstrates that these compounds interact with human cells as well. As such, these particular compounds potentially can explain the role of bacteria in/on our body in health or disease.
Several quorum sensing peptides have recently been shown by us to influence the behavior of different cell types such as colorectal cancer cells, brain cells, immune cells and muscle cells. Building on these findings, we will investigate if these quorum sensing peptides are present in biological media (blood, stool), can be produced by microbiota and if they indeed are influencing health or disease of the host in preclinical and clinical settings. The results of our research will help in our understanding of how bacteria influence our health, opening novel diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.