Furthermore, the researchers highlight that there are more microorganisms on and inside humans than the number of their cells.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is truly fascinating to discover that these probiotic bacteria hold a unique, specialized niche among the trillions of microbes in and on the human body,\u201d comments Glynis Kolling, Ph.D., research faculty member in UVA\u2019s Department of Biomedical Engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy combining our advanced methods, we have the potential to vastly expand the pool of beneficial bacteria and pave the way for targeted solutions to support human health.\u201d<\/p>\n
New tool for probiotic enhancement<\/p>\n
To improve probiotic product effectiveness, the team\u2019s HaPaPro was made based on models of bacterial metabolism.<\/p>\n
They used the model to successfully identify probiotics carrying the potential to improve women\u2019s vaginal health by inhibiting the pathobiont Gardnerella vaginalis using d-lactic acid. Pathobionts are microorganisms, native to a host\u2019s microbiome, that can cause harm under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
The paper details: \u201cWe demonstrated that not only Lactobacillus\u00a0species but also certain non-lactic acid bacteria, including Anaerococcus lactolyticus\u00a0and A. tetradius,\u00a0can produce sufficient d-lactate to suppress pathogen growth. This finding shifts the focus from simple acidification to the specific accumulation of therapeutic metabolic byproducts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFurthermore, our study highlights a distinction between metabolic capability and colonization potential\u2026This distinction is critical for designing probiotics that can effectively displace pathobionts from protected niches.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most species-rich probiotic product analyzed contained just 17 unique bacterial strains.Bacterial vaginosis occurs as a result of disruption to the microbiome, which could lead to pregnancy complications, pelvic inflammatory disease, a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and general discomfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is remarkable how much microbes play a role in human health and well-being,\u201d comments lead researcher Jason Papin, Ph.D., a UVA professor of Biomedical Engineering. \u201cI love seeing how computational models of these complex biological systems are leading to new ideas for therapies and helping us understand such fundamental biological processes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recent probiotic advances\u00a0<\/p>\n
Research and innovation on probiotics are continuously advancing. Recently, a 12-week probiotic regimen was found to\u00a0modestly reduce depression and anxiety\u00a0<\/a>in adults over 60 receiving standard care, compared to a placebo.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a three-month study found that consuming Morinaga Milk\u2019s BB536 probiotic yogurt alongside a healthier diet and exercise habits\u00a0slowed the pace of biological aging<\/a> by 2.2% in overweight men.<\/p>\n