Revolutionizing Infection Prevention with Synbiotics
Mission
To advance microbiome research and develop innovative solutions that enhance patient health and prevent infections through cutting-edge synbiotic technologies.
Vision
To create a world where infections are effectively managed and prevented through the power of microbiome science and innovative therapeutic solutions.
Background
The growing threat of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections poses a critical challenge to public health, particularly in the treatment of airway-related infections. As resistance to conventional antibiotics continues to rise, current therapies are becoming less effective, leading to prolonged illness, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality. With few new antibiotics in development, there is an urgent need to explore and invest in innovative therapeutic solutions such as microbiome-based interventions that can offer effective, sustainable alternatives to combat these infections and preserve the future of respiratory care.
PROTECT Overview
PROTECT is a new synbiotic technology combining probiotics and prebiotics to prevent respiratory infections. It aims to restore healthy lung bacteria and block harmful pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By promoting beneficial bacteria, PROTECT helps prevent harmful microbes from taking hold, spreading, or developing resistance. The project focuses on identifying the best bacteria-nutrient combinations to treat conditions like cystic fibrosis. A central goal is creating the Airway Systematic Microbial Atlas (ASMA), a database of strains and resources to support future scientific and medical research.
The overarching goal of this research initiative is to develop, validate, and translate probiotic-based interventions aimed at excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) from the respiratory tract through a combination of microbiological, computational, and in vivo approaches. The project aims to establish a comprehensive, accessible microbial resource by compiling a public database of isolates, genomes, and diversity scores from both infected and uninfected patient populations.
This research will investigate microbial ecology in vivo to identify commensal-pathogen interactions, competitor strains, and substrate preferences through Microbial Interaction and Niche Determination (MIND) analysis that inform the selection of PA-suppressing microbes. A sequenced culture collection of both commensal and pathogenic isolates will be generated from patient samples to support downstream testing.
Advanced tissue models of the human lower airway will be created and used to quantify the ability of candidate probiotics to inhibit PA colonization. High-performing PROTECT formulations will be identified and their mechanisms—potentially augmented by prebiotics—will be analyzed for efficacy in pathogen exclusion. These formulations will be further evaluated in optimized murine models to assess persistence, therapeutic outcomes, and microbial dynamics.
Parallel to biological experimentation, the project will develop and implement robust data infrastructure through the Airway and Skin Microbial Atlas (ASMA). This system will ensure standardized data capture, integration, and accessibility for all protocols, strains, formulations, and analytical tools. It will also support the documentation of preclinical models, performance metrics, and manufacturing feasibility.
Ultimately, this research aims to establish a foundational framework for the design, validation, and translational advancement of probiotic therapies targeting respiratory pathogens, with a clear pathway toward clinical and commercial application.
Background
The growing threat of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections poses a critical challenge to public health, particularly in the treatment of airway-related infections. As resistance to conventional antibiotics continues to rise, current therapies are becoming less effective, leading to prolonged illness, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality. With few new antibiotics in development, there is an urgent need to explore and invest in innovative therapeutic solutions such as microbiome-based interventions that can offer effective, sustainable alternatives to combat these infections and preserve the future of respiratory care.
PROTECT Overview
PROTECT is a new synbiotic technology combining probiotics and prebiotics to prevent respiratory infections. It aims to restore healthy lung bacteria and block harmful pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By promoting beneficial bacteria, PROTECT helps prevent harmful microbes from taking hold, spreading, or developing resistance. The project focuses on identifying the best bacteria-nutrient combinations to treat conditions like cystic fibrosis. A central goal is creating the Airway Systematic Microbial Atlas (ASMA), a database of strains and resources to support future scientific and medical research.
The overarching goal of this research initiative is to develop, validate, and translate probiotic-based interventions aimed at excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) from the respiratory tract through a combination of microbiological, computational, and in vivo approaches. The project aims to establish a comprehensive, accessible microbial resource by compiling a public database of isolates, genomes, and diversity scores from both infected and uninfected patient populations.
This research will investigate microbial ecology in vivo to identify commensal-pathogen interactions, competitor strains, and substrate preferences through Microbial Interaction and Niche Determination (MIND) analysis that inform the selection of PA-suppressing microbes. A sequenced culture collection of both commensal and pathogenic isolates will be generated from patient samples to support downstream testing.
Advanced tissue models of the human lower airway will be created and used to quantify the ability of candidate probiotics to inhibit PA colonization. High-performing PROTECT formulations will be identified and their mechanisms—potentially augmented by prebiotics—will be analyzed for efficacy in pathogen exclusion. These formulations will be further evaluated in optimized murine models to assess persistence, therapeutic outcomes, and microbial dynamics.
Parallel to biological experimentation, the project will develop and implement robust data infrastructure through the Airway and Skin Microbial Atlas (ASMA). This system will ensure standardized data capture, integration, and accessibility for all protocols, strains, formulations, and analytical tools. It will also support the documentation of preclinical models, performance metrics, and manufacturing feasibility.
Ultimately, this research aims to establish a foundational framework for the design, validation, and translational advancement of probiotic therapies targeting respiratory pathogens, with a clear pathway toward clinical and commercial application.
The overarching goal of this research initiative is to develop, validate, and translate probiotic-based interventions aimed at excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) from the respiratory tract through a combination of microbiological, computational, and in vivo approaches. The project aims to establish a comprehensive, accessible microbial resource by compiling a public database of isolates, genomes, and diversity scores from both infected and uninfected patient populations.
This research will investigate microbial ecology in vivo to identify commensal-pathogen interactions, competitor strains, and substrate preferences through Microbial Interaction and Niche Determination (MIND) analysis that inform the selection of PA-suppressing microbes. A sequenced culture collection of both commensal and pathogenic isolates will be generated from patient samples to support downstream testing.
Advanced tissue models of the human lower airway will be created and used to quantify the ability of candidate probiotics to inhibit PA colonization. High-performing PROTECT formulations will be identified and their mechanisms—potentially augmented by prebiotics—will be analyzed for efficacy in pathogen exclusion. These formulations will be further evaluated in optimized murine models to assess persistence, therapeutic outcomes, and microbial dynamics.
Parallel to biological experimentation, the project will develop and implement robust data infrastructure through the Airway and Skin Microbial Atlas (ASMA). This system will ensure standardized data capture, integration, and accessibility for all protocols, strains, formulations, and analytical tools. It will also support the documentation of preclinical models, performance metrics, and manufacturing feasibility.
Ultimately, this research aims to establish a foundational framework for the design, validation, and translational advancement of probiotic therapies targeting respiratory pathogens, with a clear pathway toward clinical and commercial application.