Devices, systems and methods for the production of humanized commensal microbiota

Abstract

One embodiment provides a commensal gut production platform for ex vivo production of human gut commensal microbiota. Another embodiment provides devices, systems and methods for ex vivo culturing of gut microflora in a system that mimics the human gut environment. The culturing of the commensal microbiota in the disclosed systems produces gut microbiota having defined characteristics and properties that can be exploited to treat various conditions in a subject.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 221,927 filed on 28 Jul. 2016, which is relied upon and incorporated herein in its entirely by reference.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING[0002]The Sequence Listing submitted on herewith, as a text file named “0064472001 DIV4seqlisting.txt” created on May 24, 2017, and having a size of 717 bytes is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.52(e)(5).FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention generally relates to the ex vivo production of gut microbiota and more particularly in a humanized commensal form that can be used for a variety of purposes such as therapeutics, diagnostics, and a research tool.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]The human microbiota is the aggregate of microorganisms that resides on the surface and in deep layers of skin, in the saliva and oral mucosa, in the conjunctiva, and in the gastrointestinal tracts, and the human microbi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the precise mechanism of this microbial influence in disease pathogenesis remains elusive and is now a major research focus.

Other conditions such as obesity are more difficult to comprehend in terms of the mechanisms that might be playing a role in the causality of obesity yet originating in the bowel flora.

In addition, because of undesirable side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had to recall several obesity drugs from the market.

Those that are approved also have side effects.

An unpleasant side effect with orlistat, however, is the passage of undigested oily fat from the body.

In the process, it also causes elevation of blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.

Other appetite suppressants, such as amphetamine derivatives, are highly addictive and have the potential for abuse.

Moreover, different subjects respond differently and unpredictably to weight-loss medications.

Traditionally, for infections, antibiotics can give transient improvement, but often fail (for example, recurrent CDI), and these failures point-to a need for a fresh approach to treatment.

For transplantation, in many instances the infection cannot be demonstrated by culture as the diversity of microbial sub-species level composition is quite enormous, and only a small percentage of these can be cultured.

Images