Using engineered probiotic yeast to prevent norovirus and Clostridium difficile infections
Preventing norovirus and Clostridium difficile gastroenteritis by engineered probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii secreting multi-specific single-domain antibodies
This study is looking at a special type of yeast that can help your body fight off norovirus and Clostridium difficile, which are common causes of stomach bugs, especially for people who are more at risk, and if it works, it could lead to a new way to prevent these infections with a simple oral treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10749048 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, that can produce specific antibodies to combat norovirus and Clostridium difficile, two major causes of gastroenteritis. The approach involves engineering the yeast to secrete antibodies that target the toxins produced by these pathogens, aiming to prevent infections in high-risk populations. The researchers will test the effectiveness of these engineered strains in animal models and work on creating formulations suitable for human use. If successful, this could lead to a new oral treatment option for preventing these infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, hospitalized patients, or individuals in long-term care facilities who are at high risk for these infections.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for norovirus or Clostridium difficile infections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel oral treatment to prevent severe gastroenteritis caused by norovirus and Clostridium difficile.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using engineered probiotics is innovative, similar strategies targeting bacterial infections have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Hanping — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Feng, Hanping
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.