Research at Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics

Applying a novel hologenomic approach the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics develops new and improved methods to study the entire molecular landscape between host and microbiome as one to understand how they shape evolution. The Center is directed by Professor Tom Gilbert.

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Research Focus

Microbes are no longer considered passive passengers but active crew, who can affect and even condition phenotype in complex organisms whether plants, invertebrates or vertebrates. Traditionally, the two parties are studied independently, but the new ‘hologenomic’ approach jointly analyses the interconnection between host genomes and microbial metagenomes, and their combined functions.

The Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics (CEH) will develop and implement state of the art 'omics and associated computational techniques, and address through experimental and theoretical research, four fundamental questions about life on earth:

WHAT is the relationship between a host’s genome and the functional and taxonomic makeup of its associated microbial metagenome?
DOES this relationship explain ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes in the host?
COULD this relationship provide an alternate explanation to some of life’s big transitions?
HOW have we humans exploited this relationship?

For more details about our different research projects please visit our Research Groups.

Publications

Link to all publications.

Main publications

Disentangling host–microbiota complexity through hologenomics:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-021-00421-0

Holo-Omics: Integrated Host-Microbiota Multi-omics for Basic and Applied Biological Research:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2020.101414

Et holistisk syn på organismen og dens mikroorganismer: (Popular research article in Danish) https://aktuelnaturvidenskab.dk/find-artikel/nyeste-numre/3-2022/et-holistisk-syn-paa-organismen-og-dens-mikroorganismer

Planned activities

Official Opening of Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics at the Einar Lundsgaard auditorium. Postponed due to Covid-19.
Virtual Center retreat 29.-30 October 2020 due to Covid-19. Physical Center retreat moved till 7.-8. June 2021 at Rungstedgaard.
DG Center Conference, location to be determined. Postponed due to Covid-19.

Funded by

The Danish National Research Foundation has funded the establishment of this new basic research center at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.