Bacteriophage Inactivation for Stable Gut Microbiota

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Solution Overview

Problem

The dynamic stability of the human intestinal microbiota is disrupted by bacteriophages, leading to increased intestinal permeability and chronic inflammation, which is associated with various diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis, with limited understanding of the role of bacteriophages in these pathologies.

Innovation Solution

Methods are developed to inhibit the entry of bacteriophages into microbiota, bodily fluids, and tissues, or inactivate them in food, drinking water, and habitats, using antibacteriophagal agents, antifungal agents, gene-editing nucleases, and other treatments to maintain microbiota stability and prevent disease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bacteriophages are present in microbiota, then bacterial diversity is maintained through natural regulation, but intestinal permeability increases and chronic inflammation occurs leading to disease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobiota stabilityVSAvoidintestinal permeability and inflammation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using bacteriophage inactivation methods to convert the harmful presence of active bacteriophages (which cause intestinal permeability and inflammation) into a beneficial state where the microbiota is protected from these harmful effects while maintaining overall stability and diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs various inactivation methods (chemical agents, physical treatments, enzymatic approaches) as intermediaries to neutralize bacteriophages without directly altering the bacterial microbiota, thereby protecting the host from harmful effects while preserving beneficial microbial functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bacteriophages are inactivated in food and water, then exposure to microbiota is reduced, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacteriophage exposureVSAvoidtreatment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by implementing inactivation treatments in food and water supplies before consumption, preventing active bacteriophages from reaching the microbiota in the first place. This preliminary action simplifies the overall approach by addressing the problem at the source rather than requiring complex post-exposure interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal inactivation methods that can be applied across multiple contexts (food processing, water treatment, habitat sanitation) using similar mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving broad protection against bacteriophage exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260091068A1Methods for treating and preventing diseases

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 TETS

AI summary

Provided herein are methods for preventing or treating diseases, said methods comprising (i) inhibiting entry of bacteriophages and/or component(s) thereof into microbiota, bodily fluid(s) or tissue(s) of the mammals and/or (ii) inactivating or modifying bacteriophages and/or component(s) thereof present in microbiota, bodily fluid(s) or tissues of the mammals and/or (iii) inactivating or modifying bacteriophages and/or component(s) thereof in one or more of food, drinking water, water for washing, water for air humidification, air, or habitat object of the mammals.