Produced by the Science
Microbiome Research Podcast (MRX Podcast)
In April 2020, Noster launched the Microbiome Research X (MRX)
website to highlight the latest research results in this field.
ìInspired by the success of the MRX website, we decided to
launch the MRX Podcast in the fall of 2020,î explains Kitao. ìThe
podcast hosts conversations with scientists working on the gut
microbiome. It is a highly effective way of connecting with people
on a global scale.î The first three podcasts feature interviews with
the grand winner and two finalists of the 2020 Noster & Science
Microbiome Prize. They describe their research as well as how they
prepared their essays for the prize.A future of postbiotics-inspired pharma
Over the last decade, Noster has made important contributions to
the international understanding of the role of gut microorganisms
in human health. ìOur journey to study the health benefits of gut
microorganisms busily working away inside our bodies has only just
started,î explains Kitao. ìI look forward to the day when postbiotic-
based therapeutics will be so widespread that we do not even think
about it anymore. It will be just like breathing.îReferences
- S. Kishino et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 110 , 17808ñ17813 (2013).
- J. Miyamoto et al., J. Biol. Chem. 290 , 29 02ñ2918 (2015).
- J. Miyamoto et al., Nat. Commun. 10 , 4007 (2019).
Notably, Noster has also been conducting its own research on
standardization and lipid analysis with Makoto Arita, a professor at
Keio University and team leader of the Laboratory for Metabolomics
at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences. Arita is
using the latest liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based
lipidomics to standardize the properties of lipids, with the goal
of elucidating the structure and function of endogenous lipid
mediators that regulate inflammation and tissue homeostasis.
COCN has formulated plans to establish next-generation health
care systems centered on providing customized medical care
for individuals at the molecular level. This year COCN proposed
establishing a national lipids center, which is expected to be
completed within the next 3 to 5 years.Diabetes clinical trials with HYA
One of Nosterís major goals is harnessing the power of
metabolites produced by gut microorganisms to develop
therapeutics to treat the underlying causes of chronic diseases
such as diabetes and intestinal inflammation disorders. To achieve
this goal, the first important milestone is initiating human clinical
trials.
ìWe have invested considerable time and effort into developing
protocols to produce large volumes of high-purity HYA to enable us
to initiate these trials,î says Kitao. ìIn November 2020, we started
clinical trials with Wataru Ogawa at Kobe University on the efficacy
of HYA on ëinsulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose
tolerance or mild diabetes mellitus,í as stated in the Japan Registry
of Clinical Trials. This trial is based on oral administration of 99%-
pure HYA capsulesóa minimally invasive approach compared with
conventional highly invasive injection-based treatments.î
Noster is also planning to launch clinical trials in 2021 on using
HYA to treat individuals with a high body mass index (>30) and
type 1 diabetes.The Noster & Science Microbiome Prize
ìGlobal multidisciplinary research partnerships will be critical
for further innovation and advances in microbiome research,î says
Kitao. ìIn 2020, we launched the Noster & Science Microbiome Prize
to support and inspire young scientists to find sustainable solutions
to chronic diseases. We enjoyed meeting the 2020 recipients during
the online awards ceremony held in September 2020 and are
pleased to congratulate the 2021 winners.î
The 2021 Grand Prize winner is Eran Blacher, postdoctoral
research fellow in neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford
University in California. The other finalists are Maria Zimmermann-
Kogadeeva, a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg in Germany,
and Erez Baruch, who is currently doing his internal medicine
residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center in
Houston, Texas.Further information about the Noster & Science Microbiome Prize
can be found at http://www.sciencemag.org/prizes/noster-science-
microbiome-prize.A summary of the proceedings of the 2020 Prize awards ceremony is
available on the Microbiome Research X website: noster-mrx.net.You can listen to the MRX Podcasts here:
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