Rational for a nutritional advice for probiotic diets

Modern research has provided a tremendously increased understanding of the community structure of the microbiom of the GI tract (GIT), its transcriptomic and metabolomic function and the correlation with complex diseases. Health supporting microorganisms in these communities have been characterized as probiotics. New scientific evidence suggest that this microbiom is much more host specific than assumed before. Although probiotics already became a common diet for many consumers, the understanding of consequences of probiotic diets on microbial community structures and function is still limited. However, consumers increasingly ask for rational objectives for their probiotic diet and analytical possibilities. Whereas intensified scientific efforts will be needed to address the complex aspects behind this question a translational research should meanwhile establish a concept for nutritional advice in the area of probiotics. The project investigates the feasibility of such a concept for counselling, based on practical analytical methods for the evaluation of important probiotic communities in consumers of different age, diets or lifestyle and an EBM guided analysis of literature for situations where a probiotic diet is indicated because of environmental or lifestyle situations or because of individual genetic predispositions such. The analytical approach uses quantitative TaqMan PCR, PCR DGGE fingerprinting and sequencing. This translational project will be synergistic with scientific projects of our which include a running project for the investigation of the analytical concept for the assessment of the microbiome in immune compromised citizens and a submitted project for the analysis of the consequences of probiotic interventions in immune-compromised patents in cooperation with our partner group at the Inst. for Microbial and Molecular Biology at the Univ. of Cape Town. Based on these experiences it is envisaged to establish a spin off company to train nutritional and other relevant experts in providing nutritional advice in this area, where the company will also offer analytical support. Because of a growing public demand in this area and because of well established contacts with nutritional consultants and experts, economic benefit of the project is likely.