20 August 2024
Nisin G: a novel anti-Fusobacterium nucleatum therapeutic
MTU and Teagasc are seeking commercial partners to further develop and commercialise the strain for applications in functional foods, biotherapeutics and women’s vaginal
health
CHALLENGE
Fusobacterium nucleatum is an important human pathogen with a number of associated pathologies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including colorectal cancer (CRC)
This bacterium can induce pro-inflammatory and oncogenic activities and is identified as a risk factor for disease progression
- F. nucleatum infections can be clinically treated with a combination of antibiotics, but this approach often disturbs gut microbiota
- As a result of this, and increasing reports of antibiotic resistance in gut pathogens, there is a need for therapeutic alternatives
OPPORTUNITY
- The antimicrobial solution described here could be a natural, effective alternative to antibiotic therapy
- This gut isolate produces a novel variant of the bacteriocin nisin, nisin G, which can potentially target the pathogen without disrupting the gut microbial balance
- The gut isolate itself, Streptococcus salivarius, is distinctive as most other nisin producers come from dairy strains of lactococci
- The inventors have demonstrated anti-Fusobacterium activity in a simulated colon model and shown that the current invention has demonstrated a relatively narrow spectrum of inhibitory activity inhibiting Fusobacterium spp
- Nisin G may also indicate a potential application for this bacteriocin to control pathogen growth in the vaginal microbiome
- The novelty of this solution is in the production of this antimicrobial from an organism that could potentially be used as an oral probiotic
APPLICATIONS
Companies are invited to discuss this technology with a view to further development in the following areas:
- Probiotic potential/functional food development
- Biotherapeutic for the prevention of CRC or other cancers
- Pathogen control in the vaginal microbiome
DEVELOPMENT
- The current Technology Readiness Level of the technology is TRL 4 (validated in the laboratory)
- An international PCT application has been filed by MTU and Teagasc (PCT/EP2022/087124)
For more information please contact: Sharon Sheahan, Commercialisation Case Manager
sharon.sheahan@teagasc.ie
Photo credit: Baylor College of Medicine
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