Engineering Clostridium sporogenes to fight cancer

Image: Clostridium sporogenes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #15884 (public domain).
 

Researchers are engineering bacteria to invade tumors and consume them from the inside. Because tumor cores lack oxygen, they’re the perfect breeding ground for these microbes. The team added a genetic tweak that helps the bacteria survive longer near oxygen-exposed edges — but only once enough of them are present to trigger the change. It’s a carefully programmed biological attack that could one day offer a new way to destroy cancer.

The engineering of living cells and microbes is ushering in a new era of cancer therapy.

Scientists at the University of Waterloo (Canada) are working on a new cancer treatment that uses specially engineered bacteria to consume tumors from the inside. The strategy relies on microbes that naturally thrive in oxygen-free environments, which makes the interior of many solid tumors an ideal target.

Clostridium sporogenes is a species of Gram-positive bacteria that belongs to the genus Clostridium. Like other strains of Clostridium, it is an anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that produces oval, subterminal endospores and is commonly found in soil. The organism is being investigated for its cancer cell killing properties. 

Bacteria spores enter the tumor, finding an environment where there are lots of nutrients and no oxygen, which this organism prefers, and so it starts eating those nutrients and growing in size.

At the centre of this approach is Clostridium sporogenes, a bacterium commonly found in soil. It can survive only in places that contain absolutely no oxygen. The inner core of solid tumors is made up of dead cells and lacks oxygen, creating the perfect conditions for this microbe to multiply and spread.

Difficult challenge

There is a challenge, however. As the bacteria expand outward and reach areas of the tumor exposed to small amounts of oxygen, they begin to die off before fully eliminating the cancer.

To address this limitation, the team inserted a gene from a related bacterium that is more tolerant of oxygen. This modification allows the engineered microbes to survive longer near the tumor's outer regions.

The researchers also needed a way to control when that oxygen-tolerance feature turns on. Activating it too early could allow the bacteria to grow in oxygen-rich areas such as the bloodstream, which would be unsafe. To prevent that, they used a natural bacterial communication process called quorum sensing.

Quorum sensing relies on chemical signals released by bacteria. As their numbers increase, the signal grows stronger. Only after enough bacteria have accumulated inside a tumor does the signal reach a level that switches on the oxygen-resistant gene. This timing ensures the bacteria activate their survival mechanism only when it is needed.

Synthetic Biology and DNA Circuits

In an earlier study, the team showed that Clostridium sporogenes could be genetically altered to better withstand oxygen. In a follow-up experiment, they tested their quorum sensing design by programming bacteria to produce a green fluorescent protein, allowing them to confirm that the system activated at the intended moment.

The next step is to combine both the oxygen-tolerance gene and the quorum-sensing control system into a single bacterium and evaluate it against tumors in pre-clinical trials.

Research paper 

The research appears in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology, titled " Construction and Functional Characterization of a Heterologous Quorum Sensing Circuit in Clostridium sporogenes."

 

 

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Shedding light on the dark proteome

New technology feature

 

Proteins drive biology and some of our most devastating diseases, but existing tools can barely measure 8% of them. Nautilus Biotechnology has unveiled Voyager to shed light on this dark proteome - for good. 

 

Voyager is designed to be a standard benchtop instrument that features Nautilus’ Iterative Mapping technology for rapidly and simultaneously measuring up to 10 billion intact proteins per experiment. Leading researchers are already field-testing it and finding: 

 

1. High accuracy, precision, and reproducibility in studies looking at proteins (the targets of 95% of all FDA-approved drugs)
2. Voyager is the only tech out there that can measure intact proteins at this scale. No breaking down proteins
3. Novel insights into biomarkers and proteoform biology, starting with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s tau, Parkinson’s alpha-synuclein)

 

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Gut bacteria actively track nutrients to sustain microbiome balance

 Beneficial gut bacteria are not passive residents but actively sense chemical signals and move toward valuable nutrients to sustain the microbiome. The discovery reshapes understanding of microbial communication and nutrient sharing, with implications for digestive health, metabolic balance, and future microbiome-based therapies.

Here are three experts who have recently shared their insights about gut microbiome, bacterial receptors and microbial movement:

Dr. Abigail Basson Raffner:   Instructor of Research, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine Instructor of Research, Digestive Health Research Institute Dr. Abigail Basson, PhD, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and NIH-funded Instructor.  

Dahlia Marin: Dahlia Marin, RDN, LD, CGN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian & Certified Gastrointestinal Nutritionist. She uses her own health story and clinical experience in Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Good Gut LIVE Podcast | Married to Health

Good Gut LIVE by Married to Health highlights all of the connections to common health issues and your gut microbiome. Gut health is global health because the gut is connected to everything.

Michael Bass, M.D.: Dr. Bass is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, with a sub-specialization in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He believes technology can transform the current landscape of Healthcare. 

Soluble Fiber: A Key Supplement for Optimal Gut Health

Dr. Bass emphasizes gut health's role in digestion and immunity. He recommends soluble fiber, like psyllium husk, for its benefits in feeding beneficial bacteria and improving stool consistency. "Supplements should support a foundation built on whole foods," he advises, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices in maintaining gut health.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Why Treating Mental Health and Addiction Separately Often Fails

A man expressing sadness with his head in his hands. Image by Tellmeimok, CC BY-SA 4.0
 

For decades, mental health treatment and addiction treatment were placed in separate boxes. Someone struggling with depression was sent one way. Someone struggling with substance use was sent to another. Too often, people were told they had to “fix” one problem before addressing the other.

This approach may seem logical on the surface—but in real life, it often fails.

Mental health and addiction are deeply connected. When they are treated separately, important pieces of the recovery puzzle are missed. Understanding why this happens is key to creating care that truly supports long-term healing.

 

Mental Health and Addiction Are Closely Linked

Mental health conditions and substance use disorders frequently occur together. This is known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis.

Acc/ording to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 9.2 million adults in the U.S. experience both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the same year.

Common mental health conditions that co-occur with addiction include:

●     Anxiety disorders

●     Depression

●     Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

●     Bipolar disorder

●     Chronic stress and emotional dysregulation

These conditions do not exist in isolation. They influence each other every day.

 

Why Separation Became the Norm

Historically, addiction was viewed as a behavioral or moral problem, while mental health conditions were treated as medical or psychological issues. This led to two separate systems of care, often with different providers, philosophies, and treatment goals.

In practice, this separation creates gaps:

●     Mental health providers may feel unprepared to address substance use

●     Addiction programs may avoid deeper emotional or trauma work

●     Clients are left bouncing between systems without coordinated care

The result is fragmented treatment that does not reflect how people actually experience their struggles.

 

How Treating Addiction Alone Can Fall Short

When addiction is treated without addressing mental health, people may achieve short-term sobriety—but struggle to maintain it.

Unaddressed mental health symptoms can include:

●     Persistent anxiety or panic

●     Depression or hopelessness

●     Trauma triggers

●     Emotional overwhelm

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), untreated mental health conditions significantly increase the risk of relapse.

If substances were being used to cope with emotional pain, removing them without offering healthier coping tools leaves a major gap. Stress returns. Symptoms intensify. Old patterns resurface.

 

How Treating Mental Health Alone Can Also Miss the Mark

Treating mental health while ignoring substance use can be just as limiting.

Substances can:

●     Interfere with therapy progress

●     Disrupt sleep and mood regulation

●     Increase impulsivity and emotional instability

●     Reduce the effectiveness of medications

According to NIDA, ongoing substance use can worsen mental health symptoms and reduce the success of mental health treatment.

This can leave people feeling stuck—doing “all the right things” in therapy while still struggling to function.

 

The Role of Trauma in Both Conditions

Trauma often sits at the center of both mental health challenges and addiction.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with high exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significantly more likely to experience both mental health disorders and substance use problems later in life.

When trauma is not addressed:

●     Anxiety remains heightened

●     Emotional regulation is difficult

●     Substance use may continue as a coping response

Treating trauma separately—or not at all—leaves the root cause untouched.

 

Why Sequential Treatment Often Fails

Many people are told they must:

1. Get sober first
2. Then address mental health

Or:

1. Stabilize mental health first
2. Then address substance use

This sequential approach can be unrealistic and discouraging.

Mental health symptoms can make early sobriety harder. Substance use can make mental health stabilization difficult. Waiting to treat one condition delays healing for both.

According to SAMHSA, integrated treatment—where both conditions are addressed together—leads to better engagement, improved stability, and lower relapse rates.

 

What Integrated Treatment Does Differently

Integrated treatment recognizes that people are whole, complex human beings—not a list of diagnoses.

Instead of separating care, integrated programs:

●     Treat mental health and addiction at the same time

●     Use coordinated treatment planning

●     Address trauma, stress, and coping skills together

●     Provide consistent messaging and support

This approach reduces confusion and creates a clearer path forward.

 

Evidence-Based Therapies That Support Integrated Care

Integrated treatment uses therapies that work across conditions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps people understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact—supporting both mental health stability and recovery.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Trauma-informed care prioritizes safety, trust, and choice, reducing shame and supporting emotional regulation.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR helps process unresolved trauma that contributes to both mental health symptoms and substance use.

Group Therapy

When facilitated with emotional safety, group therapy reduces isolation and builds connection.

According to the American Psychological Association, integrated, trauma-focused therapies lead to better outcomes for people with co-occurring conditions.

 

The Impact on Long-Term Recovery

When mental health and addiction are treated together:

●     Emotional triggers become manageable

●     Coping skills strengthen

●     Relapse risk decreases

●     Quality of life improves

A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that individuals receiving integrated care had higher treatment retention rates and better long-term recovery outcomes than those receiving separate or sequential treatment.

Recovery becomes more than abstinence—it becomes stability.

 

What This Means for Families

Families often feel confused when their loved one improves briefly, then struggles again. This cycle can happen when treatment addresses only part of the problem.

Integrated care helps families:

●     Understand the full picture

●     Reduce blame and frustration

●     Learn how mental health and addiction interact

●     Support lasting recovery

According to SAMHSA, family involvement improves outcomes when treatment addresses both conditions together.

 

A More Compassionate Model of Care

Treating mental health and addiction separately often fails because it does not reflect real human experience.

People do not struggle in neat categories. They struggle with pain, stress, trauma, and survival—all at once.

Integrated, trauma-informed care offers a more compassionate and effective path forward.

 

Healing Is Possible with the Right Approach

When mental health and addiction are treated together, recovery becomes more sustainable and humane.

People are no longer asked to choose which part of themselves deserves care. They are supported as whole individuals—with dignity, understanding, and hope.

 

Sources

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Co-Occurring Disorders
   https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/substance-use-co-occurring-disorders
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Comorbidity
   https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/comorbidity
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
   https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces
4. American Psychological Association (APA) – Integrated Treatment
   https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/06/co-occurring
5. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment – Integrated Care Outcomes
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547216303906

 

 

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

23rd Annual Global Biopharma Manufacturing and Trends Analysis 2026

 The power of biotechnology...

BioPlan conducts biopharma industry's most comprehensive global benchmarking analysis, and we need your participation. For over 20 years we've analyzed advances in bioprocessing, new technologies and emerging trends, and your feedback is crucial!

For all completed and qualified surveys, you'll receive a copy of the summary results, along with an honorarium. Click here continue.

Tim Sandle's microbiology website:- microbiology now!

 Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Floor Surface Contamination in Controlled Environments: A Change in Mindset

Objectives

• Evaluation argument for contamination control at the floor level
• Including the floor level in a holistic view of the contamination control process

The Story

Studies in the late 1960’s – 1970’s demonstrated that redistribution of bacteria into the air from the floor accounted for up to 15% of all airborne bacteria (Hambraeus et al. 1978) and disinfection alone is short lived given the rapid rate of recontamination on vast surface such as the floor (Ayliffe, 1967).

Current evidence surrounding floors as a key surface discusses how it may act as a reservoir in the chain of infection both in sensitive environments and potentially in other facilities as well.

The 2000’s started to paint a clearer picture of how floor surfaces acted as vectors of re-dispersion for microbes (Gupta, 2007). The evidence consistently points in the direction of floors playing a role in pathogen dissemination, especially dust particles (Prout, 2013). Backing earlier research linking the risk of human shedding issues (Hambraeus, 1978) & their pathogenic risk if airborne (Wei, 2016).

While there is limited research being developed on floor level controls outside of the healthcare setting, it is generalized as a relegated entity within a contamination control practice versus other surfaces.

The Science

The largest surface area in each room is seeing the least control across a variety of industries ….

Touch level and air surface cleanliness alone are not sufficient practices based on the criticality of the areas they are positioned in. At best, one of the most basic requirements in controlled environments, shoe covers,  can themselves be a new vector of concern due to cross contamination between zones.

Define Vectors – A vector is a path for contamination to travel with minimum disruption or control through wheels, shoes and the surfaces as a whole

More people + more capacity + more activity = more particles + more risk = more control

Most end users spend 80% of budget/time/effort on 20% of a problem when a reversal can yield more sustainable, long-term gains.

Floor level control reduces substantial risk prior to controlled entry in a far more sustainable way.

The ‘Sense’

Cases explored and the Onion.

The five second rule might apply in your kitchen, but it does not apply in sensitive manufacturing.

The following diagrams represent a concept presented by Dr. Tim Sandle, he calls it the onion concept. This concept illustrates the most critical area, the one you want to keep free of contamination at the center of the diagram. This could be a cleanroom, controlled environments, and/or high-care settings. The critical center area is protected by the outer layers (or other areas) that surround it. Certain measures are put in place in these outer layers to prevent contamination from entering the critical area, this can include hand washing, gowning and contamination control flooring. As personnel move through each layer, it becomes cleaner and cleaner until they reach the critical area in the center. Depending on the criticality of the site, it will determine how many layers or areas there are to move through before reaching the center.

You can see below a diagram of how particles at floor level may travel through each layer, the red particles show the general risk and most contamination comes from the outer layers inwards. The larger particles tend to be prevented earlier on and less particles are transferred as you move through the layers.

A selection of settings where this is applicable…

The Suggestion

Dycem Contamination control flooring alternatives.

The Statement

Moving forward, what influence will floors have on contamination control?

As Floors are a surface of high transmission, the contamination risk merits wider, more comprehensive research to value its part in a contamination control strategy (CCS). Part of this research considers the floor as a priority ‘vector surface’ to allow it to share equal weight in developing a CCS. If floors are treated for particulate control at the source of contamination, they can offer an exhaustive list of benefits for critical and controlled settings. Practitioners of CCS should approach the topic with a more holistic view to develop a CCS as part of their day-to-day, good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Dycem has vastly improved cross-contamination reduction through its ability to be unavoidable, simple, and a long-term, effective solution.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)