Scientists have genetically engineered the common gut bacterium Phocaeicola vulgatus and its presence in the gut microbiome has been shown to reduce oxalate levels a promising development for kidney stone treatment.

This research paves the way for precise modulation of gut microbiome functions with major implications for nutrition science and therapeutic development says Weston Whitaker research scientist at Stanford University. By programming bacteria to carry out targeted metabolic tasks in the gut we gain clearer insights into gut-host interactions and open new doors for delivering specific nutritional or therapeutic effects.

He adds The technology is also highly adaptable validated elements like the colonization method can be reused or integrated with new therapeutic roles without significantly changing the production process making development and manufacturing more efficient.

Researchers selected Phocaeicola vulgatus for the study due to its abundance and widespread presence in the human gut making it ideal for achieving therapeutically effective colonization explains Weston Whitaker. He details the genetic engineering process behind the study.

Hyperoxaluria is a condition where excessive oxalate is excreted in the urine potentially leading to pain in the lower back side or groin particularly during urination. Oxalate is a natural compound found in both the body and various plant-based foods.

We engineered P. vulgatus to rely on porphyran a seaweed-derived polysaccharide for survival ensuring it establishes in the gut only during the treatment period explains Whitaker. The modified bacteria then break down oxalate and convert it into harmless formate molecules.

Introducing engineered bacteria into the gut microbiome demands careful evaluation of potential ecological effects Whitaker notes. Our strategy deliberately utilizes bacterial species and metabolic functions that are already prevalent in healthy microbiomes minimizing the risk of negative outcomes.

He adds In our clinical studies we closely monitored microbial diversity and observed no adverse effects even in individuals with high levels of colonization by the engineered strain. Overall diversity remained stable and similar to that of untreated participants. That said we’re continuing in-depth analyses to detect any subtle shifts and gain a deeper understanding of the microbiome’s response.

However in many individuals from industrialized societies beneficial bacteria like Oxalobacter have been lost making reintroduction challenging due to the gut’s complex ecosystem. Whitaker explains that despite numerous clinical trials over the past decade attempts to reintroduce Oxalobacter the most recognized oxalate degrader have largely failed.

Source: https://www.nutritioninsight.com/news/genetic-engineering-gut-microbiome-targeted-nutrition.html