- Setting the Stage for a Successful Launch Into the Microbiome Space
- The Skin Microbiome in Relation to the Clothing Microbiome
- Microbiome host interaction: Influence of FLG Loss-Of-Function Mutations in Host-Microbe Interactions During Atopic Skin Inflammation
- Developing Beneficial Bacteria as Topical Therapeutics to Treat Skin Diseases
- How Phage Capsids Can Be Engineered for Gene Therapy of the Microbiome
- Restoring Healthy Skin Ecology with Microbial Ensembles
- Biofilm Production & Inflammatory Skin Molecules Support the Growth & Persistence of Cutibacterium acnes in Acne Vulgaris
Restoring Healthy Skin Ecology with Microbial Ensembles
Cheri Ackerman, Concerto Biosciences
In addition to individual beneficial strains, interactions between skin microbes underpin skin health, so effective microbial therapies must restore healthy microbial interactions. A healthy web tames pathogens such as S. aureus, Malassezia spp and C. acnes.
Concerto Biosciences’ new ultra-high-throughput screening technology (kChip) builds millions of microbial communities, among which Microbial Ensembles are identified: optimal and therapeutic combinations of microbes
One of the first Concerto projects was trying to identify an Ensemble capable of controlling S. aureus. Different commensals interact with each other with different mechanisms of action to keep S. aureus in check. For example coagulase-negative Staph. (e.g. S. epidermidis and S. hominis) inhibits colonization via antimicrobial peptide production and quorum sensing via autoinducing peptides, S. epidermidis also inhibits biofilm formation via Esp secretion, Corynebacterium striatum inhibits quorum sensing and virulence via an unknown mechanism and a C. acnes ferment rich in SCFAs inhibit S. aureus colonization.
By measuring over 5 million combinations of microbes, Concerto isolated ensembles capable of reducing the expression of two S. aureus virulence genes by 95%.
To learn more: https://www.activate.org/concerto-biosciences
