< Back to previous page

Researcher

Irina Spacova

  • Research Expertise:Prof. Spacova investigates beneficial microorganisms found at the interface between the human body and the environment, especially in nature, the human respiratory tract and on the skin, and how these microorganisms can benefit human health. An important bioscience engineering goal is to develop sustainable microbiome-based solutions for urban health challenges. A key research expertise includes studying the interactions between beneficial bacteria and the host immune system, as well as invading viral and bacterial pathogens. Futhermore, genetic modification of beneficial bacteria and microbiome modulation by probiotics in health and disease is investigated in vitro and in clinical studies and citizen science projects.
  • Keywords:MICROBIOLOGY, RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV), PROBIOTICS, ALLERGY, CITIZEN SCIENCE, MICROBIOME, VIRAL INFECTION, IMMUNE RESPONSE, Applied biological sciences, biotechnology
  • Disciplines:Bacteriology, Infectious diseases, Microbiomes, Adaptive immunology, Inflammation, Innate immunity, Virology
  • Research techniques:The team of Prof. Spacova implements microbiological and molecular techniques to isolate and characterize potentially beneficial bacteria from environmental and human samples. Bacteria are co-cultured with human reporter cell lines (incl. immune, respiratory and skin cells) and respiratory viruses to unravel their immunological interactions and antiviral properties. Clinical studies and citizen science projects are set up in collaboration with expert clinicians, in which the microbiome and biomarkers of inflammation and stress in human samples are analyzed. In addition, standard molecular and cloning techniques are applied for genetic modification of beneficial bacterial strains.
  • Users of research expertise:Researchers and companies working on beneficial bacteria/probiotics, as well as prevention and treatment of inflammatory airway and skin diseases.