Quorum sensing peptides are 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 colorectal cancer cells: they stimulate colorectal cancer cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. 
This research project will make the required jump to the human situation: multiple quorum sensing peptides will be simultaneously investigated, using different mice models, cell lines and bacteria, reflecting the real human complexity. Moreover, also the association between the quorum sensing peptide or bacterial presence in blood/stool of the patient and his/her health status (healthy or colorectal cancer) will be investigated.