Core-shell commensal biocapsules for in situ gut microbiome engineering.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biomaterials Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Gut microbiome composition significantly impacts human health.
• Current live microbe treatments are limited by poor understanding of single-species functions and lack of tools for controlled microbiome manipulation.
• Colonization resistance and spatiotemporal control are key barriers in developing microbiome-based therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel tool for precision engineering of gut microbial communities.
• To overcome limitations in current microbiome manipulation strategies.
• To enable controlled engraftment of defined bacterial consortia within the gastrointestinal tract.

Main Methods:

• Development of a core-shell capsular material, termed a biocapsule.
• Utilizing a sequential kill-and-replace strategy to clear native flora and introduce a defined bacterial payload.
• Employing targeted antagonism to reshape the microbiome niche *in situ*.

Main Results:

• Biocapsules successfully promote engraftment of defined bacterial payloads.
• The kill-and-replace strategy enables precise control over microbiome composition.
• This method offers a targeted alternative to broad-spectrum antibiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation.

Conclusions:

• Biocapsules provide a self-assembling, biocompatible platform for *in situ* microbiome engineering.
• This technology advances translational opportunities in materials-enabled commensal engineering.
• The targeted antagonism approach allows for fine-tuned shaping of established microbial communities.