Genetically modified E. coli instead of carrots?
For the first time, the production of vitamin A was entrusted to microbes transplanted into the intestine
The new technology was the topic of a report at the Probiota 2015 conference, which took place on February 3-5 in Amsterdam. It was briefly reported by New Scientist (Gut bugs serve up vitamin A the carrot-free way).
Vitamin A deficiency affects more than 250 million children worldwide: about half of this number goes blind every year, and a quarter dies in the first year of life. So far, the main solution to this problem is considered to be genetically modified food crops with a high content of provitamins (like golden rice).
However, new plants require land, fertilizers and time to mature — not to mention that storms and droughts often ruin crops. Finally, no variety of golden rice is yet available for consumption. Therefore, Loredana Quadro from Rutgers University turned to the help of bacteria that produce beta-carotene. Scientists extracted the DNA responsible for the production of this substance and transplanted it to bacteria that can take root in the intestines of laboratory mice.
After two weeks, the microbes adapted to the new environment and began to produce beta-carotene. Soon, the content of provitamin was recorded in the intestines, blood and liver of animals. According to Quadro, this is the first successful case of using genetically modified bacteria to produce useful substances in a living organism. (Article by Lesley Wassef et al. b-Carotene–Producing Bacteria Residing in the Intestine Provide Vitamin A to Mouse Tissues In Vivo published in The Journal of nutrition – VM)
However, the practical implementation of the project is still far away: the drug will need to pass clinical trials. In addition, the bacteria will need to be taught to survive in the intestines of children who often suffer from diarrhea.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru06.02.2015