Genetically Engineered Probiotics and Their Potential in Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

The intestinal microbiome, consisting of a diverse array of microbes, plays a vital role in protecting against pathogens, affecting host physiology, and shaping the immune system. Probiotic bacteria, which are live microorganisms providing health benefits, have become increasingly significant due to their ability to lower cholesterol, maintain microbial balance, inhibit carcinogenesis, and support metabolic functions. However, probiotics also have limitations, including specificity to certain microbes and the need to withstand harsh gastrointestinal environments. Enhancing their effectiveness may involve creating blends of various strains and developing genetically engineered probiotics (GEP) to address these challenges. Bioengineering can enhance probiotic strains by introducing genes that help them withstand production stresses, survive in the gastrointestinal tract, and prevent infections. This approach also enables GEP to deliver drugs, target pathogens, and treat diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. This chapter explores GEP, emphasizing the conversion of non-probiotic substances into probiotics and the enhancement of existing probiotics through genetic modification. It also discusses recent advancements in using probiotics as living diagnostics and therapeutics for detecting and treating diseases. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.