en
  • Deutsch - de
  • English - en
  • About
      About us
        Our Measures
          Members
            Cluster Management
               PhD & Postdoc representatives
                Scientific Advisory Board
                   International cooperation partners
                    Timeline
                       Media Kit
                        Contact
                      • News & Events
                          News
                            Events
                              In the News
                                Open Positions
                              • Research
                                  Publications
                                    Our Research Focus
                                      Technology Hubs
                                        Research Spotlight
                                          Data Management & Sharing
                                            Sustainability Initiative
                                               Code of Conduct
                                            • Science & Society
                                                For Schools & Students
                                                  Public Events
                                                    Podcasts
                                                      Videos
                                                    • Support for Diversity & Equity
                                                        Newcomer Center
                                                          Gender Equality Program
                                                            Early Career Investigator Program
                                                          1. Home
                                                          2. News & Events
                                                          3. News
                                                          4. Multiple sclerosis: Triggers in the gut flora
                                                          News | 08/05/2025 | Press Release

                                                          Multiple sclerosis: Triggers in the gut flora

                                                          Study of twins detects bacteria in the small intestine that play a role in the development of MS.
                                                          MPI für biologische Intelligenz / Julia Kuhl 

                                                          A team from several research institutions led by Dr. Anneli Peters (LMU Biomedical Center) and Professor Hartmut Wekerle (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence), including our member Lisa Ann Gerdes, launched a major collaborative project—with the help of twins. Although identical twins share nearly the same genetic makeup, in some MS cases one twin may develop the disease while the other remains symptom-free—known as an MS-discordant pair. A summary of their study: 

                                                          • Multiple sclerosis (MS) and the gut flora: MS is the most common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Among many other factors, microorganisms in the gut are suspected of contributing to the onset of the disease.
                                                          • Twin study: To obtain meaningful results, researchers* examined stool samples and microorganisms directly from the small intestine of identical twins, where only one twin had MS.
                                                          • Disease-causing bacteria: Using a transgenic mouse model of the disease, they identified Lachnoclostridium and Eisenbergiella tayi for the first time as potential disease-causing bacteria in the intestinal samples of twins with MS.
                                                          • Successful experimental strategy: The study demonstrates ways to identify disease-causing bacteria and could eventually result in new therapeutic approaches for humans.


                                                          H. Yoon, L. A. Gerdes, F. Beigel, Y. Sun, J. Kövilein, J. Wang, T. Kuhlmann, A. Flierl-Hecht, D. Haller, R. Hohlfeld, S. E. Baranzini, H. Wekerle, A. Peters: Multiple sclerosis and gut microbiota: Lachnospiraceae from the ileum of MS twins trigger MS-like disease in germfree transgenic mice—An unbiased functional study. PNAS 2025

                                                          • Read the full press release on the website of Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

                                                          Participating Universities
                                                           LMU logo in white
                                                           TUM logo in white
                                                          Partner Institutions
                                                           Logo DZNE in white
                                                          Helmholtz Munich logo in white 
                                                           Logo Max Planck Gesellschaft 

                                                          SyNergy is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) within the framework of the German Excellence Strategy (EXC 2145 SyNergy – ID 390857198). The Excellence Strategy promotes outstanding research at German universities. 

                                                          Contact

                                                          Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)

                                                          Feodor-Lynen-Str. 17
                                                          81377 Munich
                                                          +49 (0)89 4400-46497
                                                          yüubgyJbcјuipxјGvfuld;yz-mi
                                                          Login for editors
                                                          Imprint | Data-Safety
                                                          en
                                                          • Deutsch - de
                                                          • English - en

                                                          Home

                                                          • About
                                                            • About us
                                                            • Our Measures
                                                            • Members
                                                            • Cluster Management
                                                            •  PhD & Postdoc representatives
                                                            • Scientific Advisory Board
                                                            •  International cooperation partners
                                                            • Timeline
                                                            •  Media Kit
                                                            • Contact
                                                          • News & Events
                                                            • News
                                                            • Events
                                                            • In the News
                                                            • Open Positions
                                                          • Research
                                                            • Publications
                                                            • Our Research Focus
                                                            • Technology Hubs
                                                            • Research Spotlight
                                                            • Data Management & Sharing
                                                            • Sustainability Initiative
                                                            •  Code of Conduct
                                                          • Science & Society
                                                            • For Schools & Students
                                                            • Public Events
                                                            • Podcasts
                                                            • Videos
                                                          • Support for Diversity & Equity
                                                            • Newcomer Center
                                                            • Gender Equality Program
                                                            • Early Career Investigator Program