Anti-inflammatory microbes and their potential as topical therapeutics

皮肤的表皮是身体与外界的主要界面。因此，表皮经常处于脱水的威胁下，因为存在使水离开皮肤到外部干燥环境的永久驱动力。除此之外，皮肤不断暴露在压力源中，可能会导致发炎。这些包括来自太阳的紫外线辐射，污染物，病原体，甚至可能是清洁剂等产品。除了暴露在环境中，皮肤还与皮肤细菌，皮肤微生物群不断接触。最近的研究表明，皮肤微生物群，就像肠道的微生物群一样，在皮肤健康中发挥着重要作用。然而，迄今为止所掌握的资料有限。 奥尼尔/麦克贝恩小组以前的工作已经证明，某些细菌对皮肤具有治疗潜力。我们以前已经表明，乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌的种类可以保护皮肤免受病原体的侵害，增加皮肤上皮的屏障功能，并促进皮肤愈合。在这个项目中，我们将研究皮肤微生物群的某些成员可能具有抗炎特性的可能性，并可能帮助皮肤从日常压力中恢复。这种抗炎细菌已被证明存在于肠道微生物群中，并且可能是所谓的“益生菌”细菌的作用机制之一。该项目提供了一个机会来筛选从人类志愿者中分离出的细菌（通过简单的皮肤擦拭），分离出单个菌株，然后测试活菌株或菌株提取物在皮肤炎症模型中的功效。特别是，我们已经建立了一个人类皮肤器官培养，我们可以在上面培养细菌。根据设想，筛选工作将在项目的头12至18个月进行。剩下的时间将用于了解细菌减少皮肤模型炎症的机制。奥尼尔教授和Macbain教授在皮肤和口腔中宿主-细菌相互作用领域合作多年，并在该领域有发表记录（Prince et al，2011，Mohemmedsaeed et al，2014，2015，Sultanna et al，2014）。该奖学金为成功的候选人提供了一个机会，可以开发各种各样的微生物学和皮肤生物学技术。宿主-微生物相互作用的培训将使成功的候选人处于独特的位置。除此之外，工业赞助商SkinBiotherapeutics在将研究实验室的发现转化为人类研究并进入市场方面拥有丰富的经验。成功的候选人将花时间在公司学习如何将基础科学的发现转化为新的疗法。所有这些经验将使成功的候选人在完成学业后在就业市场上处于高度竞争地位。

The epidermis of skin is the primary interface between the body and the outside world. As such, the epidermis is constantly under threat of dehydration as there is a permenant driving force for water to leave the skin to the external dry environment. Added to this, the skin is constantly exposed to stressors that can leave it inflamed. These include, UV radiation form the sun, pollutants, pathogens and potentially even products such as cleansers. As well as exposure to the environment, the skin is also in constant contact with its commensal bacteria, the skins microbiota. Recent studies have suggested that the skins microbiota, much like that of the gut, has an important role to play in skin health. However, the information available thus far is limited. Previous work in the O'Neill/MacBain group has demonstrated that certain bacteria have therapeutic potential for use on skin. We have previously shown that species of lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria can protect skin from pathogens, increase the barrier function of the skin epithelium and enhance healing of skin. In this project, we will investigate the possibility that certain members of the skins microbiota may have anti-inflammatory properties and may help the skin to recover from everyday stressors. Such anti-inflammatory bacteria have been demonstrated to exist in the gut microbiota and may be one of the mechanisms underlying the effects of the so-called 'probiotic' bacteria. This project offers an opportunity to screen bacteria isolated from human volunteers (through simple swabbing of the skin) isolate individual strains and then test the efficacy of the live strains, or extracts of the strains in models of skin inflammation. In particular, we have established a human skin organ culture on which we can grow bacteria. It is envisaged that screening would constitute the first 12-18 months of the project. The remaining time would be spent understanding the mechanisms underlying the ability of bacteria to reduce inflammation in skin models. Professors O'Neill and Macbain have collaborated in the area of host-bacterial interactions in skin and the oral cavity for several years and have track record in publication in the area (Prince et al, 2011, Mohemmedsaeed et al, 2014, 2015, Sultanna et al, 2014). This studentship offers an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop a wide variety of techniques spanning microbiology and skin biology. The training in host-microbe interactions would put the successful candidate in a unique position. Added to this, the industrial sponsor, SkinBiotherapeutics has experience in translating findings from the research laboratory into human studies and on into the marketplace. The successful candidate would spend time in the company learning how findings from the basic science are translated into new therapies. All of these experiences would put the successful candidate in a highly competitive position in the jobs market following completion of their studies.