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Appreciation for the critical role that bacteria play in human and animal health as well as in other natural systems is expanding.
When it comes to “gut” bacteria, in particular, the microbes once thought as innocent bacterial bystanders – in contrast to disease-causing bacteria – aren’t bystanders at all; they are absolutely necessary for sustaining good health in ways that science and the medical community are only beginning to appreciate. The National Institutes of Health have begun a significant initiative to understand the structure and importance of the human bacterial community, collectively referred to as the “microbiota.” This effort, entitled the “Human Microbiome Project,” is on par with the more media-touted Human Genome Project, “completed” a decade ago. However, we strongly believe that “The Human Microbiome Project” will have a far more profound positive impact on human health over the next decade than the “Human Genome Project” has yet achieved.
The ability of Avidocin™ Proteins to intervene in microbial populations by specifically targeting a single organism without direct effect on other members of the microbiota – could open up a variety of new opportunities not addressable using antibiotics. Initial applications under development by AvidBiotics and its collaborators include:
Biodefense
Dangerous pathogenic bacteria, like Yersinia pestis (plague), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), and others may be weaponized for use against armed forces or general populations. Avidocin™ proteins could provide a tool to prevent or rapidly respond to infections with such organisms.
Animal Health
Poultry and meat producers have often deployed antibiotics to stimulate the growth and weight gain of their animals, the use of which has also played a role in spreading antibiotic resistance. As antibiotics work to stimulate growth by reducing populations of certain bacteria in the gut, Purocin™ proteins have the potential to replace antibiotics for this use without contributing to the problem of antibiotic resistance.