From Escherich's Discovery to Modern Microbiome Research
The gut microbiome holds secrets to health and disease that scientists are just beginning to decipher.
When Theodor Escherich, a dedicated German-Austrian pediatrician, first described a rod-shaped bacterium he called "Bacterium coli commune" in 1885, he likely didn't anticipate it would become one of the most studied organisms on Earth 2 7 . Driven by concern for the high rates of infant mortality in the late 19th century, Escherich meticulously studied the intestinal bacteria of neonates and infants, laying the foundation for the field of intestinal pathology 2 3 . His discovery, later renamed Escherichia coli in his honor, would become the cornerstone of microbiology and molecular biology 7 .
Today, Escherich's legacy continues to inspire scientific exploration. The Theodor Escherich Symposium, held annually, brings together researchers to build upon his foundational work. The 2017 symposium in Graz, Austria, focused specifically on medical microbiome research, examining how our microbial inhabitants influence health and disease 1 6 . This article explores the fascinating journey from Escherich's initial discovery to cutting-edge research on the hidden world within our guts.
Theodor Escherich's original research was driven by his concern for infant mortality rates that exceeded 30% in some European cities during the late 19th century.
Escherich's bacterium might have remained just another entry in microbiology textbooks if not for a series of fortuitous events that propelled it to scientific fame. In the 1940s, E. coli was recognized as ideally suited for biochemical and genetic research due to its easy cultivation, rapid reproduction, and diverse metabolic capabilities 3 .
The K-12 strain, isolated from a recovering diphtheria patient in 1922 and deposited at Stanford University, became particularly important 3 . Another strain, known as E. coli B, also played a crucial role when Max Delbrück selected it for bacteriophage research, cementing E. coli's place in laboratories worldwide 3 .
E. coli's rise to prominence accelerated through several Nobel Prize-winning discoveries:
These breakthroughs established E. coli as the "flagship bacterium of molecular biology" and demonstrated that processes in complex organisms were conserved in bacteria 3 .
The 4th Theodor Escherich Symposium in 2017 highlighted how far the field has advanced since Escherich's initial observations. Researchers gathered at the Medical University of Graz to share cutting-edge research on medical microbiome applications 6 . The symposium featured several groundbreaking presentations that illustrate the exciting directions of contemporary microbiome science.
| Date | Presenter | Affiliation | Presentation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 12 | Philippe Langella, PhD | MICALIS Institute, France | Our intestinal microbiota as a source of next-generation probiotics to prevent and to treat inflammatory diseases? |
| October 13 | Prof. Dr. Fredrik Bäckhed | University of Göteborg, Sweden | Mechanistic studies of the impact of the gut microbiome on obesity and type 2 diabetes |
| October 13 | Prof. Leslie Myatt PhD, FRCOG | Oregon Health and Science University, USA | Sexual dimorphism and microRNAs in regulation of trophoblast respiration |
| October 24 | Prof. Dr. Dr. John Pickup | King's College, London, UK | Diabetes technology: lessons from the past, challenges for the future |
| November 20 | Sylvia Knapp, MD, PhD | Medical University Vienna, Austria | Regulatory role of innate immunity in homeostasis and disease |
While most E. coli strains are harmless gut inhabitants, some have acquired virulence factors that make them dangerous pathogens 2 4 . The symposium highlighted ongoing research into the delicate balance between health and disease in the microbiome.
Produces heat-labile and heat-stable toxins that cause watery diarrhea, commonly known as traveler's diarrhea 4 .
Diarrhea Travel-relatedProduces Shiga toxin that can cause bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome 4 .
Bloody Diarrhea HUSAttaches to intestinal cells causing effacement of microvilli, primarily affecting children in resource-limited areas 4 .
Pediatric Developing RegionsForms a stacked brick pattern on intestinal cells and produces toxins that cause acute and chronic diarrhea 4 .
Acute/Chronic Diarrhea"Our intestinal microbiota as a source of next-generation probiotics to prevent and to treat inflammatory diseases?" - Philippe Langella, PhD, MICALIS Institute, France
Dr. Philippe Langella's presentation explored the process of developing next-generation probiotics from intestinal microbiota to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases 1 . The research follows a systematic approach:
Researchers collect intestinal microbiota samples from healthy human donors, particularly focusing on individuals with traits of interest (e.g., resistance to inflammatory diseases).
Using anaerobic cultivation techniques, scientists isolate individual bacterial strains from the complex microbial community.
Whole genome sequencing identifies potential probiotic candidates and ensures they lack virulence or antibiotic resistance genes.
Candidate strains are tested in cell culture systems to evaluate their anti-inflammatory properties, immune modulation capabilities, and safety profiles.
Researchers use molecular biology techniques to identify the specific bacterial compounds (proteins, metabolites) responsible for beneficial effects.
Promising candidates are administered to disease models (e.g., mice with induced colitis) to evaluate efficacy in whole organisms.
Successful candidates from animal studies progress through phased clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy in humans.
This systematic approach has yielded several important findings:
Certain commensal bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids that strengthen intestinal barrier function and reduce inflammation.
Some bacterial strains activate regulatory T-cells, which help control excessive immune responses.
Specific microbial metabolites can block inflammatory pathways by inhibiting NF-κB activation.
Combination therapies using multiple bacterial strains often show superior efficacy compared to single strains.
The research presented suggests that next-generation probiotics could potentially offer targeted therapies for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and even metabolic disorders, representing a paradigm shift from traditional probiotics to scientifically-designed microbial therapeutics.
| Item | Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Luria-Bertani (LB) Broth | Nutrient-rich growth medium for bacteria | Routine cultivation of E. coli strains 9 |
| Transformation Kits | Chemical solutions to make bacterial cells competent for DNA uptake | Introducing plasmid DNA into E. coli for cloning 5 |
| Agar Plates | Solid culture medium containing nutrients and solidifying agent | Isolating single bacterial colonies for pure cultures 9 |
| Antibiotic Supplements | Selective agents added to growth media | Maintaining plasmids with antibiotic resistance genes 9 |
| Anaerobic Chambers | Specialized equipment to create oxygen-free environments | Culturing oxygen-sensitive gut microorganisms |
| Cryopreservation Solutions | Glycerol-based solutions for cell preservation | Long-term storage of bacterial strains at -80°C 9 |
Modern microbiome research relies on specialized tools and techniques that have evolved significantly since Escherich's time. The Mix & Go! E. coli Transformation Kit represents advances in efficiency, allowing researchers to produce chemically competent cells in less than 45 minutes without heat shock 5 . Such innovations accelerate the pace of discovery in microbiology.
From Theodor Escherich's initial observations to the cutting-edge research presented at the 2017 symposium bearing his name, our understanding of the microbial world within us has expanded dramatically. What began as basic characterization of intestinal bacteria has evolved into sophisticated research with profound implications for human health.
The ongoing exploration of the microbiome represents a fitting tribute to Escherich's legacy. As researchers continue to decode the complex relationships between our microbial inhabitants and health, we move closer to a new era of medicine where microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics become standard practice. As one symposium presentation on "The hidden power of volatiles in microbial interactions" suggested , we are still discovering novel ways that microbes communicate and influence their environments—including our bodies.
The 4th Theodor Escherich Symposium demonstrated that Escherich's pioneering spirit continues to inspire scientists to explore the unseen universe within us, turning fundamental discoveries into potential solutions for some of medicine's most challenging problems. As we honor the past, we look forward to a future where microbiome research delivers on its promise to transform human health.