I’m pleased that DuPont is partnering with us, funding this project and turning fundamental discoveries in the laboratory into potential new therapies that will address an urgent need.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (PRWEB)
September 30, 2019
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences today announced its strategic partnership with Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB). This is its fifth research collaboration since the establishment of the DuPont Microbiome Venture in late 2017.
Jointly with QIB, a research institute with world leading expertise in microbiome interactions, this 3-year preclinical project will focus on studying the gut bacteria’s ability in influencing the immune system. The research will evaluate how extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are naturally produced by the gut bacteria, can be used to enhance immunity and prevent or treat inflammatory conditions. A key step to having a better understanding of the human health and diseases is to understand the interaction between gut bacteria and the body as such scientific findings are increasingly used to develop new strategies for the treatment and prevention of health conditions.
Current microbiome-based therapeutic approaches being explored around the world include live biotherapeutics or next-generation probiotics, small diffusible molecules produced by gut bacteria, and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The new study promises an approach that directly targets mucosal sites in the gut lining that integrate with the immune system using EVs derived from gut bacteria.
Researchers in QIB, Professor Simon Carding and Regis Stentz, Ph.D., have discovered that EVs produced by one specific type of gut bacterium, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, target immune cells of the gut lining, especially the dendritic cells known as the master regulators of the immune system. They found that EVs, produced naturally by gut bacteria are well tolerated, safe to use and have several properties which make them ideal candidates to be used in novel therapeutics to enhance immunity.
“I’m pleased that DuPont is partnering with us, funding this project and turning fundamental discoveries in the laboratory into potential new therapies that will address an urgent need. We look forward to working together with them to bring forward a solution that we can deliver to consumers and patients,” said Prof. Carding.
Researchers from the St. Mark’s Hospital, Imperial College London and University of Liverpool also will participate and bring additional preclinical and clinical expertise to this joint project.
Sebastien Guery, leader of DuPont’s Human Microbiome Venture said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Quadram Institute Bioscience, a world leader in the science and technology of extracellular vesicles produced by gut bacteria. If successful, the project will provide the basis for a new form of immuno-therapy based on gut bacterial extracellular vesicles that will be taken forward for human clinical trials. I believe this technology has the potential to reduce the global burden of infectious and chronic diseases.”
The Microbiome Venture is a focused entrepreneurial team with a strong connection to the larger DuPont organization, tapping into capabilities including R&D, manufacturing, regulatory, legal and marketing. The Microbiome Venture investment will complement DuPont’s existing product portfolio, especially in the areas of probiotics and prebiotics, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). To find out more, visit http://www.human-microbiome.dupont.com.
About Quadram Institute
The Quadram Institute (quadram.ac.uk) is an interdisciplinary research center at the forefront of a new era of food and health research. It brings together researchers and clinicians under one roof and houses one of Europe’s largest endoscopy units and a clinical research facility.
Based on the Norwich Research Park, The Quadram Institute is a partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of East Anglia and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food and its vision is to understand how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease.
Four interconnected research themes in Quadram Institute Bioscience deliver a pipeline of research in plants, microbes, food and health: microbes in the food chain; the gut and the microbiome; food innovation and population health.
About DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences applies expert science to advance market-driven, healthy and sustainable solutions for the food, beverage, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. We also use cutting-edge biotechnology across a range of markets to advance bio-based solutions to meet the needs of a growing population, while protecting our environment for future generations. We are innovative solvers who help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. For more information: http://www.dupontnutritionandbiosciences.com or http://www.biosciences.dupont.com.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at http://www.dupont.com.
DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
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