Welcome to the BBI Lab– Brain-Bacteria Interface Lab at the UCM

Where neurons meet microbes

The Brain–Bacteria Interface (BBI) Lab at Complutense University of Madrid is an interdisciplinary research group exploring the fascinating dialogue between the gut microbiota and the nervous system. We investigate how gut bacteria and brain cells interact—not only through metabolites and signaling molecules, but also through direct contact and bioelectrical communication.

Our team brings together microbiology, neuroscience, bioelectricity, and computational biology to uncover a shared language between bacteria and neurons. Using in vitro platforms, bioelectrical profiling tools, and transcriptomic analyses, we study how bacterial signals can influence neural plasticity, calcium activity, and gene expression.

We’re building a new vision of the microbiota–gut–brain axis—one that includes real-time, membrane-to-membrane communication. Our research not only opens up fundamental questions about cellular communication across kingdoms of life, but also holds promise for developing microbiota-based strategies to support brain health and treat neurological disorders.

Whether you're a scientist, a student, or simply curious about how microbes may shape our minds, we invite you to explore our work and join us in decoding this extraordinary interface.