Advancing Microbiome Research Through Global Collaboration: GEM-CAP Symposium in Cairo
Microbiome research is transforming our understanding of human health, and international collaboration is key to unlocking its full potential. The German-Egyptian Microbiome Research Capacity Building (GEM-CAP) initiative, supported by the DAAD Ta’ziz Partnerschaft grant awarded to Dr. Amira Metwaly, postdoctoral scientist at the ZIEL Institute for Food & Health at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is leading this effort. GEM-CAP is strengthening global research capacity in microbiome bioinformatics through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
From November 30 to December 2, 2024, the GEM-CAP Microbiome & Bioinformatics Symposium was held at the German University in Cairo (GUC), gathering over 200 attendees, including experts, early-career researchers, and students. Co-organized by TUM and GUC, the symposium showcased cutting-edge science and fostered collaboration to address global health challenges.
TUM’s contributions set the tone for scientific excellence throughout the event. TUM played a central role in the symposium, with distinguished contributions from its faculty and researchers. Prof. Dirk Haller, Chair of Nutrition and Immunology and director of ZIEL, PD Dr. Klaus Neuhaus, Head of the Core Facility Microbiome, Prof. Melanie Schirmer, Professor for Translational Microbiome Data Integration, Prof. Markus List, Professor for Data Science in Systems Biology, Dr. Amira Metwaly, senior scientist at Core facility Microbiome, Dr. Eva Rath, postdoctoral scientist at Chair of Nutrition and Immunology and Dr. Sören Ocvirk, Group Leader in Gut Microbiome Research, delivered insightful talks showcasing TUM's cutting-edge expertise in microbiome science.
Complementing these efforts were enriching discussions with GUC faculty and distinguished international experts. Partners from the University of Luxembourg, the Eurac Mummy Research Institute in Italy, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Crete, and the University of Birmingham brought diverse perspectives that underscored the global relevance of microbiome research.
The GEM-CAP initiative, powered by DAAD and led by Dr. Amira Metwaly, demonstrates the strength of partnerships between TUM and GUC. By building research capacity, providing hands-on training, and promoting knowledge exchange, GEM-CAP is advancing microbiome science while addressing pressing health challenges.
As GEM-CAP continues to build bridges between researchers in Germany, Egypt, and beyond, it lays the groundwork for transformative discoveries in microbiome science that will shape the future of global health.