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Technical University of Munich

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bärbel Stecher-Letsch

Position :    Professor of Intestinal Microbiome (W3)

Room    :     01/3.02

Email     :     stecher(at)tum.de

 

 

 

Bärbel Stecher is Professor and Chair of Intestinal Microbiome at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where she lead research into the intricate relationships between host, microbiome, and pathogens. Her scientific journey has been deeply rooted in microbiology, with a particular focus on the gut ecosystem—a dynamic community that plays a crucial role in human health and disease. After studying microbiology, immunology, and genetics at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), she earned her PhD from ETH Zurich, where she investigated the pathogenesis of Salmonella. This work ignited a lasting interest in enteric pathogens and their interactions with the microbiota. Her postdoctoral training at ETH Zurich and McMaster University (Canada) further deepened her expertise in microbial ecology and host-microbe interactions. From 2010 to 2024, she led a research group at the Max von Pettenkofer Institute at LMU. During this time, her team pioneered the use of gnotobiotic mouse models and developed synthetic microbial communities (such as the Oligo-Mouse-Microbiota) to investigate how specific gut microbes influence colonization resistance, immune modulation, and infection outcomes. Since joining TUM, she has continued to explore how microbiomes can be harnessed to prevent and treat infections, particularly in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance. She am also a coordinator at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), where she oversees translational research projects focused on mucosal infections and microbial therapeutics. 

Education and Experience

  • W3 Professorship (2024-Current): Technical University of Munich, Germany
  • Professor (W2) (2011 – 2024): Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
  • Staff Scientist and Lecturer (2007-2010): Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
  • Postdoctoral Researcher (2005-2007): Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
  • PhD in Microbiology (2001-2005): ETH Zürich, Switzerland under the supervision of Prof. Wolf-Dietrich Hardt
  • Diploma in Biology (1995-2001): Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany and University of Warwick, England

 

Activities in the Research System

  • Current: CRC 1371 Deputy Spokesperson
  • Since 2022: Coordinator TTU Gastrointestinal Infections, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)
  • Since 2019: Deputy Speaker DFG CRC1371
  • 2015-2019: Speaker of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) section "Probiotics, Microbiota and Host"
  • Since 2014: Speaker of the DZIF Center for Gastrointestinal Microbiome Research (CEGIMIR)
  • Since 2013: Member of the European Consortium for Gnotobiology (ECGnoto)
  • Since 2012: Head of the Animal Facility (Tierhausleitung) at Max von Pettenkofer-Institute

Awards

  • 2019:   European Research Council (ERC), Consolidator Grant 2019
  • 2017:   German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM), Main Award 2017
  • 2011:   Yakult-Prize ‘Science for Health’
  • 2009:   Robert Koch Society ‘Postdoctoral Prize’
  • 2009:   FEMS Travel Grant for the 3rd Congress of European Microbiologists
  • 2008:   Swiss Society of Microbiology (SSM) Encouragement Award
  • 2008:   Member of the TANDEM plus IDEA program
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