Cutting-edge research engineers skin bacteria to treat acne, presenting a novel therapeutic approach for skin conditions.
In a study led by the Translational Synthetic Biology Laboratory Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University, an international research team has successfully engineered Cutibacterium acnes, a type of skin bacterium, to secrete a therapeutic molecule to treat acne symptoms. This innovative approach holds promise for addressing skin alterations and other diseases using living therapeutics.
Engineering smart skin bacteria
The study reveals that the researchers have edited the genome of Cutibacterium acnes to produce the NGAL protein, a mediator of the acne drug isotretinoin. This protein has been proven to reduce sebum production by inducing the death of sebocytes, the skin cells responsible for sebum secretion.
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