Short-chain fatty acids inhibit bacterial conjugation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors through horizontal gene transfer in bacteria poses a significant threat to animal and public health, with existing methods failing to effectively inhibit the transfer of these genes, leading to clinical failures and potential global deaths.
Innovation Solution
Administering a composition comprising a probiotic bacterium that produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) or SCFAs themselves to inhibit bacterial conjugation in the gut, thereby reducing the transfer of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes between bacteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, then clinical treatment effectiveness is improved, but antibiotic resistance genes spread through horizontal gene transfer, leading to treatment failure and public health threats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as an intermediary substance to block horizontal gene transfer between bacteria. SCFAs act as a mediator that interferes with the conjugation process, preventing the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from donor to recipient bacteria without directly killing the bacteria or using antibiotics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of SCFAs on bacterial conjugation into a beneficial outcome. By utilizing the natural ability of SCFAs to inhibit plasmid transfer, the patent transforms a potentially harmful metabolic byproduct into a therapeutic agent that prevents antibiotic resistance spread while maintaining bacterial life for continued treatment options
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing methods are used to inhibit horizontal gene transfer, then gene transfer is reduced, but the methods fail to effectively prevent the spread of resistance genes, leading to clinical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the gut environment by introducing SCFAs, which alter the pH and chemical conditions to inhibit bacterial conjugation. This parameter change approach targets the biochemical mechanisms of plasmid transfer, making the environment unfavorable for horizontal gene transfer while maintaining bacterial viability
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
The use of SCFAs or SCFA-producing probiotic bacteria significantly inhibits bacterial conjugation, blocking the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors, thereby increasing the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to treatment and potentially reducing the global impact of antibiotic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the probiotic bacterium produces at least one short chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the gut of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to compositions for inhibiting bacterial conjugation or horizontal plasmid-associated gene transfer. The compositions may comprise short chain fatty acids. The compositions may also comprise short chain fatty acid-producing probiotic bacteria. Also disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting bacterial conjugation or horizontal gene transfer in the gut of a subject.