Translating Microbiome Futures
Posted 9th November 2018 by Jane Williams
In May of this year, Nature Biotechnology and Global Engage convened a panel of leaders in the microbiome field that included CEOs and CSOs of several microbiome companies, representatives from big pharmas working in the space, and top academics from the New York area and beyond to discuss the current state of the art in human microbiome research and its translation into therapies.
The Development of New Therapies in Skin Microbiome: The Ultimate Reward
Posted 19th October 2018 by Kieran Chambers
We spoke to Lindsay Kalan, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison about wound healing, the similarities between gut and skin microbiome and what the future holds for the development of new therapies.
Open Letter: Emma Taylor, CEO and Founder, Naked Biome
Posted 15th October 2018 by Kate Barlow
Dear colleagues.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the USA, affecting 85% of the world’s population over their lifetime and approximately 50 million people in the USA each year.
Open Letter: Richard Gallo, Professor of Dermatology UCSD
Posted 8th October 2018 by Kate Barlow
Dear Colleagues,
Over recent years, we have seen record numbers of skin cancer diagnoses around the world. Indeed, since the 1980s, incidences of melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer, have doubled. Melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer that can spread to other organs and is estimated it will kill 10,000 people in the US this year. Approximately 3 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year in the US.
What does a healthy infant gut microbiome look like?
Posted 14th September 2018 by Kate Barlow
As diet and the microbiome are closely entwined, the first step in understanding a healthy infant gut microbiome is to understand a healthy infant diet. Fortunately, a healthy infant diet is at least superficially simple to define, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the best nutrition for infants according to the World Health Organisation. A common alternative to human breast milk for infants is formula and the microbiomes of breastfed and formula fed infants are known to differ.
A Longitudinal Study of the Facial Skin Microbiome in Normal Healthy Adults
Posted 3rd August 2018 by Kate Barlow
Human skin is the largest organ that acts as a front line of defence against toxic effects from its exposure to toxic environmental factors1-3. Skin Microbiome is considered an integral part of skin barrier that, combined with innate immunity, plays a key role in maintaining the skin health4-7.
Fermented Food as Probiotics: Health Perceptions and Research
Posted 25th July 2018 by Kate Barlow
As a microbiologist in the field of probiotics, I am often asked, “Will probiotics improve my health?” I always give the same answer: studies show specific benefits of probiotics for certain conditions, but there is not conclusive evidence that they will improve health for an already healthy person.
I know this is an unsatisfying answer. It is a careful answer and one that relies on the tenets of scientific research – large samples sizes, causation over correlation and repetition of experimental results. At this point, I cannot say with confidence that research supports the idea that ingesting a certain probiotic can make you a healthier person.
The Potential of Probiotics for Human Health
Posted 11th July 2018 by Kate Barlow
This article was originally published in Health Europa Quarterly on 3 May 2018, and is published here with permission.
Johan van Hylckama Vlieg is the vice-president for microbiome and human health innovation at Chr. Hansen A/S, a global leading bioscience company that develops and produces cultures, enzymes, probiotics and natural colours for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.
Speaking at the 5th Microbiome R&D & Business Collaboration Forum: Europe, van Hylckama Vlieg provided a valuable insight into some of the exciting potential application areas of probiotics.
