Probiotic Skin Microbiome Modulation via CRISPR-Edited Bacteria

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are inadequate in addressing the imbalance of the skin microbiome, leading to persistent inflammation and resistance to antibiotics, and there is a need for effective methods to enhance skin health without significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

The use of human-specific bacteria strains modified via CRISPR-Cas9 and Cpf1 systems to alter their native pathogenicity, administer beneficial bacteria topically, particularly in newborns, to modify the skin microbiome equilibrium, reduce pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, and promote beneficial microbial secretions, along with prebiotics and postbiotics to maintain a healthy skin microbiome.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antibiotic treatments are used to treat skin conditions, then bacterial infections are reduced, but antibiotic resistance develops and skin microbiome imbalance persists

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces probiotic bacteria (beneficial microorganisms) to compete with and displace pathogenic bacteria on the skin surface. This converts the approach from killing bacteria (which causes resistance) to promoting beneficial bacteria that naturally inhibit pathogens through competition for resources and space, thereby treating skin conditions without contributing to antibiotic resistance

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses probiotic bacteria as an intermediary agent between the treatment goal and the skin microbiome. Instead of directly applying antibiotics that cause resistance, probiotics serve as a mediator that restores microbiome balance, which in turn suppresses pathogenic bacteria and treats skin conditions indirectly through ecological competition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional treatments are used to address skin conditions, then some symptoms are relieved, but skin microbiome imbalance is not addressed leading to persistent inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the skin microbiome to self-regulate by introducing probiotic bacteria that restore natural microbial balance. The probiotics compete with pathogens for nutrients and space, producing antimicrobial substances, and modulating the skin environment to favor beneficial microbes, thereby enabling the skin's immune system to naturally control inflammation without external anti-inflammatory agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a feedback mechanism where probiotic bacteria establish themselves in the skin microbiome and continuously suppress pathogenic bacteria through competitive exclusion and antimicrobial production. This establishes a self-sustaining system where the restored microbiome balance provides ongoing protection against inflammation and pathogen overgrowth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively reduces inflammation, enhances skin health, and maintains a balanced microbiome, potentially decreasing the frequency and severity of skin infections and diseases by promoting beneficial microbial interactions and reducing pathogenic bacterial loads.

Implementation Method 1

bacteria that have been modified via a CRISPR-Cas9 and/or Cpf1 system to either repress the expression of a particular protein or lipid, or to increase the production of beneficial microbial secretions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR-Cas9 gene editing:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR-Cpf1 gene editing:

Data Source

PatentUS11833177B2Probiotic to enhance an individual's skin microbiome

Publication Date: 2023.12.05

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, postbiotics, metabolites and other microbe components to foster the growth and maintenance of a healthy skin microbiome. One embodiment includes a topical application of Lactobacillus Crispatus to ameliorate skin barrier damage and inflammation using unique combinations of probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and other skin-beneficial ingredients, effectively treating inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne, through the production of tryptophan metabolites that act as AHR agonists.