Engineered gut bacteria to protect the brain in Alzheimer's disease
Neuroprotective Engineered Bacteria for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
A modified gut microbe designed to lower gut-driven inflammation and harmful metabolites to help protect memory and brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bloom Science, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196227 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project engineers a gut bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila to strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce inflammation and toxic metabolites linked to brain damage. Researchers will test the engineered bacteria in lab experiments and in Alzheimer-model mice to see if it lowers LPS and TMAO levels and reduces amyloid and tau-related pathology. The aim is to protect neurons and slow memory decline driven by neuroinflammation. If preclinical results are promising, the team plans to move the approach toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease who are open to microbiome-based therapies would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer’s disease or with non‑Alzheimer dementias are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce brain inflammation and slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's by lowering gut-derived toxins.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown that altering the gut microbiome can reduce neuroinflammation and Alzheimer-like pathology, but engineered bacterial therapies remain largely untested in people.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- Bloom Science, INC. — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miano, Arianna — Bloom Science, INC.
- Study coordinator: Miano, Arianna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.