Difference between revisions of "Team:UCL"

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Mind the Gut: developing psychobiotics to target the brain-gut-microbiota axis for mental health treatment
 
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In any year, mental health conditions affect one in four of us and available small molecule treatments have associated stigma and side effects. We believe that, besides aiding in the better understanding of the communication between gut microbiota and brain, our work will also lay a foundation for novel user-friendly treatments for mental health conditions.
 
In any year, mental health conditions affect one in four of us and available small molecule treatments have associated stigma and side effects. We believe that, besides aiding in the better understanding of the communication between gut microbiota and brain, our work will also lay a foundation for novel user-friendly treatments for mental health conditions.
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The number of <span style="color: #FE6C68;">microorganisms</span> in the human gut is higher than the number of human cells in our body. Their <span style="color: #FE6C68;">metabolic activity</span>  plays crucial role in many key processes such as <span style="color: #FE6C68;">digestion</span>, <span style="color: #FE6C68;">drug metabolism</span> and functioning of the <span style="color: #FE6C68;">immune system</span>...
 
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Revision as of 21:33, 18 September 2015

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Mind the Gut: developing psychobiotics to target the brain-gut-microbiota axis for mental health treatment Current research suggests that gut microbes secrete neuroactive compounds that act on the gut-brain axis and play an important role in healthy brain function. UCL iGEM have developed novel synthetic psychobiotics that mimic these neuromodulatory strategies identified in endogenous intestinal strains. We have designed safe therapeutic devices that target the glutamate, acetylcholine and tryptophan pathways for neurochemical synthesis. Additionally, we have assessed biocontainment and integrated a sensor detecting mood-related physiological changes in the gut environment. In any year, mental health conditions affect one in four of us and available small molecule treatments have associated stigma and side effects. We believe that, besides aiding in the better understanding of the communication between gut microbiota and brain, our work will also lay a foundation for novel user-friendly treatments for mental health conditions.