CRISPR-Modified Skin Bacteria for Microbiome Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective treatments to enhance the health of an individual's skin microbiome, particularly as people age and their immune system becomes less robust, increasing the risk of infections.
Innovation Solution
The use of human-specific strains of bacteria that are modified via CRISPR-Cas or Cpf1 systems to enhance beneficial characteristics for the skin microbiome, such as reducing virulence factors or increasing production of beneficial microbial secretions, is proposed. These bacteria can be administered topically, especially in the first hours after birth, to alter the skin microbiome and promote a healthy balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional antibiotics are used to treat skin infections, then infection severity is reduced, but the skin microbiome balance is disrupted and immune system becomes weaker over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies probiotic bacteria (beneficial microorganisms) to convert the harmful effect of pathogenic bacteria into a beneficial outcome. By introducing live probiotic cultures topically to the skin, the beneficial bacteria compete with and displace pathogenic bacteria, restoring microbiome balance and strengthening immune system response without the damaging side effects of antibiotics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses probiotic bacteria as an intermediary substance between the pathogenic bacteria and the immune system. These probiotic cultures act as mediators that modulate immune responses and restore microbial equilibrium, providing protection against infections while avoiding the direct harmful impact of antibiotic medications on the immune system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the skin microbiome diversity is reduced to eliminate pathogens, then infection risk is lowered, but the resilience and adaptability of the skin ecosystem deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different probiotic bacterial strains to different skin areas or conditions, tailoring the microbiome restoration to specific local needs. This localized approach allows pathogenic bacteria to be targeted and eliminated in affected areas while maintaining diverse beneficial bacteria in other regions, preserving overall microbiome resilience and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite probiotic formulations containing multiple different bacterial strains working together. This composite approach creates a diverse and resilient microbiome community that can effectively compete with pathogens while maintaining ecological balance and adaptability, preventing pathogen overgrowth without reducing overall microbiome diversity
3Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are administered topically to establish healthy microbiome balance, then long-term immune system strength is improved, but immediate treatment of acute infections may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies probiotic bacteria in advance to establish a healthy microbiome balance before infections occur or in the early stages of infection. This preliminary action of introducing beneficial bacteria creates protective colonization that prevents pathogenic bacteria from establishing themselves, providing long-term immune system strengthening and proactive protection rather than reactive treatment
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions, systems and methods of improving the health of the microbiome of an individual's skin relate to the provision of skin contacting formulations containing beneficial bacteria and other microbe components to foster the growth and maintenance of a healthy skin microbiome. Certain embodiments include methods of treatment for acne and other skin disorders involving the use of probiotics, as well as the use of bacteria engineered via CRISPR systems for the treatment of specific skin disorders.