Biotech in the Microbiome

The human microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms living in the human body, is now at the forefront of biotechnology. Researchers have discovered that the microbiome is central to human health, affecting digestion, immunity, mental health, and chronic disease. With advancements in biotechnology, researchers are harnessing these microbial populations to develop new therapies and diagnostic technologies that hold the potential to revolutionize medicine. The ability to manipulate and understand the microbiome at the molecular level is opening up new doors for curing diseases once considered difficult to treat.

Arguably, the most well-known microbiome-based therapy is Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), which involves transplanting a donor's healthy stool into a patient's colon to restore microbes to health. FMT was originally developed to treat recurrent Clostridium difficile infections but is now being considered as a therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and even neurological disorders. Engineered probiotics, another game-changing innovation, use genetically engineered bacteria to recognize and treat disease from the inside out. Engineered probiotics are being developed to combat diseases such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain cancers by producing therapeutic molecules in the gut itself. Furthermore, microbiome mimetics, which use healthy microbial products instead of viable bacteria, are being developed as safer and more convenient alternatives to traditional probiotic treatments.

Along with treatment, the microbiome is also revolutionizing diagnostics. New sequencing technologies have allowed researchers to identify disease biomarkers through microbial composition. For example, some forms of bacteria have been linked with colorectal cancer, allowing the development of non-invasive screening tests that analyze stool samples. Scientists are also working on microbiome-based diagnostic tools, such as a tampon-like device that would seek to detect disturbance in the vaginal microbiome that would make infection and fertility issues detectable with more accuracy. These breakthroughs highlight how microbiome science is revolutionizing not only the treatment of diseases but also their earlier and more manageable detection. 

While these promising developments offer great potential, several challenges must still be addressed to fully realize the potential of microbiome-based biotechnology. Regulatory approval is one such challenge, as the safety and effectiveness of these treatments must be thoroughly tested before they can find widespread use. The nature of the microbiome itself also poses some challenges, as microbials in their communities interact with one another in complex, not yet fully grasped ways. To overcome such issues, researchers are devising advanced computational models and laboratory protocols, such as human stem cell-derived engineered organoids, to study microbiome interactions in sterile settings.

The potential of microbiome biotechnology is vast, and studies keep delivering new uses for these tiny microbes in human health development. By refining microbiome treatments and diagnostics, scientists are moving closer to a future where personalized medicine becomes a reality, leading to improved disease outcomes in many sicknesses. With increased investment and collaborations, the microbiome could become a cornerstone of modern medicine, transforming disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

References

Ezzamouri, Bouchra, et al. “Synergies of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology in Human Microbiome Studies.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 31 May 2021, www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.681982/full. 

Gosálbez, Luis. “The Microbiome Biotech Landscape: An Analysis of the Pharmaceutical Pipeline - Microbiome Times Magazine.” Microbiome Times Magazine - Reporting on The Latest Microbiome Business & Scientific Developments, 27 Mar. 2020, www.microbiometimes.com/the-microbiome-biotech-landscape-an-analysis-of-the-pharmaceutical-pipeline/.

Lu, Timothy K. “Engineering the Microbiome for Human Health Applications.” The Chemistry of Microbiomes: Proceedings of a Seminar Series., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK447358/.