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Medical school scientist creates therapy to kill hypervirulent bacteria

A new therapy has been identified that can penetrate the slime protecting drug-resistant bacteria, allowing it to be killed by the body's immune system or antibiotics. The antimicrobial peptide, derived from cow peptides, targets sugar connections in the slime structure, damaging its integrity and allowing entry.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2024

Gene analysis generates spatial map of intestinal cells and traces their trajectories during gut inflammation

A new study using spatial transcriptomics has generated a unique spatial atlas of intestinal cells in both healthy and inflamed states. The research reveals the evolution of cell populations during inflammation, particularly highlighting the significance of fibroblasts in response to gut inflammation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2024

Cleveland Clinic and University of Western Ontario awarded $4.9 million from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to build Crohn’s disease and ileostomy research consortium

A new consortium, co-led by Florian Rieder, MD, and Vipul Jairath, MD, will create clinical care pathways toward drug development and improve disease management for patients with Crohn's disease and permanent ileostomy. The EndO-trial Consortium aims to develop effective drugs and measure treatment outcomes using patient-reported outco...

Antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut

A new study found that antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut by providing extra nutrients, allowing these 'bad' bacteria to multiply. The research suggests that targeting beneficial bacteria can help restrict the growth of resistant bacteria, paving the way for microbiome therapeutics treatments.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

New genetic relations between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric diseases discovered

A new study has identified thousands of shared genetic variants between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. This discovery provides a new understanding of the brain-gut axis and holds promise for developing effective treatments for IBS.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

Important step toward next-generation probiotics

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new strategy for producing oxygen-tolerant probiotics, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which can improve glucose control. The combination of bacteria increased biomass and butyrate production, making it safe for human consumption.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

For prematurely born infants, cow colostrum can be used to supplement mother´s own milk

New studies show cow colostrum can reduce infant formula use and strengthen mother's milk in premature babies, providing essential nutrients like amino acids. Researchers hope to optimize cow colostrum product for critical first few weeks after birth.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2023

Intestinal bacteria influence the growth of fungi

Researchers discovered that certain bacterial species, including lactic acid bacteria, correlate with high levels of Candida yeasts in the gut microbiome. This suggests a complex interaction between these microorganisms, where lactic acid bacteria may favor Candida proliferation while making the fungus less virulent.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2023

Organoids validated as tool for studying fetal intestine development

Cincinnati Children's scientists have successfully grown functional human intestinal organoids that mimic key development stages of the human fetus. These lab-grown tissues accurately replicate the formation of specific cell types and tissue structures, providing a valuable resource for studying fetal intestine development and potentia...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

How do worms develop their gut?

A husband-and-wife research team at UC Riverside found a simpler gene network is involved in specifying the gut in nematodes related to Caenorhabditis elegans. The discovery was made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic, which freed up time for the researchers to explore their question of how nematodes develop their gut.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalDevelopment·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

The future of replacement organs is (quite possibly) here: robust human intestinal organoids created in a lab

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a new approach to grow human intestinal mini-organs in the lab. They used cell culture plates and bioreactors to create robust and healthy intestine-like tissues that can be transplanted into mice, demonstrating the potential for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateDec 5, 2022

UCalgary study points to potential new treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases

Researchers at UCalgary have discovered a potential new treatment for fibrosis, a condition that causes thickening of the gut wall and life-threatening blockage in people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study suggests that drugs targeting specific sensors may prevent inflammation-associated gut blockage.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Mount Sinai study uncovers mechanisms of reactive oxygen species in stem cell function and inflammation prevention

The study found that a combination of NOX1, loss of function, and TNF leads to an abnormal increase in microfold cells, driving increased recruitment of immune cells. Reversing the defect with reactive oxygen species restored healthy gut balance. Further studies on reactive oxygen species-stem cell modulation therapy are proposed.

Modeling a devastating childhood disease on a chip

A team of researchers created an in vitro human model of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) using the Human Organ Chip technology. The EED Chips recapitulate features of EED found in biopsies from human patients, including inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between malnu...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Stromal cells, maestros of the intestine

In a mouse model, stromal cells developed before weaning age promote the maturation of the intestinal barrier by forming a specialized niche. Absence of these cells induces defect in postnatal growth and increases susceptibility to intestinal inflammatory diseases.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 2, 2022

Microbiota medicine: towards clinical revolution

A recent report by the International Society of Microbiota confirms a bidirectional interplay between gut microbiota and various organs, highlighting the crucial role of microbiota in disease pathogenesis. The report also explores therapeutic strategies for manipulating gut microbiota to prevent and treat disorders.

SourceMitochondria-Microbiota Task Force·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 31, 2022