Next generation probiotics: Engineering live biotherapeutics

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Human microbiome dysbiosis is linked to various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and obesity.
• Next-generation probiotics, or live engineered organisms, represent an emerging therapeutic strategy.
• The gut's harsh, nutrient-limited environment can hinder the efficacy of microbial therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current use of bacterial and yeast strains as probiotics.
• To highlight advancements in genetic engineering for novel probiotic functions.
• To report on therapeutic applications and clinical trials of engineered probiotics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current probiotic applications and genetic engineering tools.
• Analysis of recent therapeutic applications and clinical trial data for engineered probiotics.
• Discussion of prebiotic supplementation strategies to enhance probiotic performance.

Main Results:

• Bacterial and yeast strains are actively being developed and utilized as probiotics.
• Genetic tools enable the engineering of enhanced therapeutic functions in microorganisms.
• Engineered probiotics demonstrate potential in various therapeutic applications, with ongoing clinical investigations.

Conclusions:

• Engineered probiotics offer a promising avenue for treating microbiome-associated diseases.
• Advancements in genetic engineering are expanding the capabilities of live biotherapeutics.
• Combining engineered probiotics with prebiotics may optimize therapeutic outcomes in the gut microbiome.