FibRestoration - Novel specialized probiotics for restoring a healthy fiber-degrading microbiome

Introduction

Dietary fiber is well-recognized as beneficial to the gut microbiome and has repercussions on human health. Consequently, in recent years, alternative dietary lifestyles favoring the consumption of high amounts of dietary fibers have been proposed.

Problem Statement

In order to avoid digestive discomfort associated with the increased intake of dietary fiber, we propose to develop probiotics that will target cellulose, the main component of dietary fiber. Indeed, cellulose-degrading bacteria are absent both in the gut microbiomes of most human populations and in existing probiotics.

Project Objectives

During our proposed project, we will:

1. Isolate unique fiber-degrading bacteria.
2. Restore these bacteria in the human microbiome via the administration of probiotics.

Product Development

Thus, our products will comprise this bacterium either alone or in combination with other fiber-degrading strains. This will augment the fiber-degrading potential of the human gut microbiome with concomitant implications for human health.

Market Potential

Such probiotics will address the majority of global human populations and will constitute a niche in the global probiotics market, which is projected to further increase in the next decade.