April 27, 2024

Modifying the Microbiome In Vivo, One Species or Gene at a Time

“Special DeliveryThe technique to utilizing CRISPR to alter the microbiome of an organism was to find a way to provide it to the germs of interest– in this case, the mouse gut microbiota.”We have loads of data from around the world looking at the diversity of bacteriophage in the gut, but what we dont have are actually well-characterized sets of viruses and bacteria, like M13 and E. coli,” said Turnbaugh.”Additionally, the system is not sure-fire since the researchers saw bacteria in stool that avoided CRISPR attack.”Evidence of germs repairing their DNA led the scientists to see this system less as an antimicrobial developed to eliminate germs, however as a method to comprehend and modulate pathogens or the microbiota by interrupting targeted genes. “Ideally, we want to add functions to E. coli that are both beneficial to the bacteria and appropriate to disease … We want to attempt to work with E. coli to make a healthier gut.

“We have loads of information from around the world looking at the diversity of bacteriophage in the gut, but what we dont have are really well-characterized sets of bacteria and infections, like M13 and E. coli,” said Turnbaugh.”Evidence of bacteria repairing their DNA led the scientists to see this system less as an antimicrobial developed to kill bacteria, but as a way to comprehend and regulate pathogens or the microbiota by interrupting targeted genes. “Ideally, we desire to include functions to E. coli that are both helpful to the bacteria and appropriate to illness … We desire to try to work with E. coli to make a much healthier gut.