Zimmermann Group: Iron Nutrition - Stable Isotopes and Therapeutics
- MRC Translational Immune Discovery Unit
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
Prof. Zimmermann is a Clarivate 'Highly Cited Researcher' and a GPS Scholar 'Highly Ranked Scholar'.
The overarching goal of our research is to improve iron nutrition and reduce the burden of anaemia among women and children. To achieve this, we employ innovative stable iron isotope techniques to precisely trace iron absorption, distribution, and utilization in the human body. These approaches inform the design and development of novel iron therapeutics. By integrating mechanistic understanding with therapeutic innovation, our work aims to deliver iron interventions with enhanced safety and efficacy.
Development and application of stable iron isotope methods in health and disease
Iron plays a crucial role in human health, and iron deficiency is one of the primary causes of disability worldwide. We apply stable (nonradioactive) iron isotope techniques to evaluate iron kinetics from oral supplements and fortificants, as well as for studying the effects of diseases and genetic disorders on iron absorption and excretion. The appearance of a stable iron isotope in plasma after oral dosing provides an immediate measure of the rate, amount, and pattern of iron absorption. In contrast, erythrocyte iron incorporation assesses both absorption and utilization, measured 14 days post-administration. The isotope dilution method uses naturally occurring iron to dilute a previously enriched isotopic label equilibrated with body iron stores, enabling long-term assessment of iron absorption, loss, and gain. Stable isotope techniques also offer mechanistic insight into iron homeostasis at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels.
Stable iron isotope methods: erythrocyte iron incorporation and isotope dilution.
Discovery and testing of novel iron compounds for nutritional therapeutics
We develop and evaluate novel iron compounds, including plant-derived haem iron, stabilized lactoferrin, iron-enriched A.oryzae and nanostructured iron, as potential alternatives to conventional iron salts due to their high absorption and improved tolerability. These compounds show promise for treating anaemia in chronic inflammatory conditions by bypassing hepcidin-mediated inhibition of absorption. We also test thermostable phytases to enhance iron absorption from cereal-based diets and investigate alternate-day dosing strategies in pregnancy using low-dose, more bioavailable iron to improve efficacy and safety.
Administration of an oral stable Iron tracer to assess iron kinetics during lactation in KenyaGroup Leader
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Michael Bruce Zimmermann
Professor of Human Nutrition
Collaborators
Nicole Stoffel, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Hal Drakesmith, University of Oxford, UK
Ali Abbaspourrad, Cornell University, USA
Sueppong Gowachirapant, Mahidol University, Thailand
Raffaele Mezzenga, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Diego Moretti, FFHS Zurich, Switzerland
Omar Obeid, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Prashanth Thankachan, St Johns Research Institute, Bangalore, India
Rachel Kopec, The Ohio State University, USA
Marie Lewis, University of Reading, UK
Stephen Hennigar, Pennington Medical Research Center, USA
Renée Blaauw, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Isidro Abreu Sanchez, Universidad de León, Spain
Funding Bodies
- Gates Foundation, USA
- Thrasher Research Fund, USA
- ETH4D, Switzerland
- Effective Ventures, UK
In the media
Nature Communications Editors’ Highlights of Recent Research in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases: “Iron absorption and loss, and efficacy of iron supplementation with and without prebiotics in children with virally suppressed HIV: three prospective studies in South Africa”. November 2025.
BBC - The global challenge of iron deficiency - and why scientists can't agree if supplements are the answer. March 2025.
The Economist. As wellness trends take off, iodine deficiency makes a quiet comeback.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/11/06.