Topic: From Bench-to-Inside: Cutting-edge Technologies Targeting the Gut Microbiome Modulation

During the past three decades, research into the composition and the important functions of the intestinal microbiota has been, and still is, an area of great scientific interest. The increasing understanding of how the microbiota contributes to maintaining health, along with the potential for modulating it to reduce disease risks, has captured the attention of researchers, consumers, and industries.

Traditional strategies for modulating the intestinal microbiota have focused on dietary modifications and oral administration of probiotic and/or prebiotic supplements, and, more recently, postbiotics have also been incorporated into commercial products. However, the significant technological development in microbiota research has not only enabled tools for its study but has also sparked exploration into novel technologies for microbiota management and modulation. While still in its nascent state, there is a growing interest in developing technological solutions beyond conventional approaches. It is now conceivable to envision technologies aimed at ex vivo modulation of the microbiota before its reintroduction into individuals, and some examples of oral nanomedicine and non-invasive technologies with potential applications in this field are beginning to emerge. This involves the pursuit of disruptive techniques that, in the not-so-distant future, may allow us to apply all our expanding knowledge about the role of the microbiota in human physiology to improve health outcomes.

This Special Issue of Microbiome Research Reports aims to cover the most recent advances and technological approaches. We seek to elucidate the new, fascinating and groundbreaking possibilities for a new generation of highly technological microbiota modulation tools.

The topics that will be explored in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:
1. Innovative fecal transplant-based approaches for microbiota restoration;
2. Possibilities for ex vivo microbiota modulation;
3. Microbiota handling using new highly selective molecules and nanomedicine (bacteriophages, mRNA, antimicrobial peptides, nanodrugs, vesicles, etc.);
4. Genetic edition for microbiota management;
5. Application of non-invasive technologies (photomodulation, radiofrequency, etc.) for microbiota modification.

31 Oct 2024