In a pioneering effort to tackle persistent lung infections, researchers have secured up to $7 million through the PROTECT project. This ambitious initiative aims to eliminate harmful pathogens, including the notorious Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which pose severe health risks, especially for individuals with cystic fibrosis and those reliant on respirators.

The prestigious grant comes from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and is a collaboration between experts from the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, Berkeley. Co-principal investigator Dr. Karsten Zengler, a prominent figure in the Departments of Pediatrics and Bioengineering at UC San Diego, expressed enthusiasm about the project: "We are thrilled to embark on this critical endeavor, and we are thankful to ARPA-H for their visionary support."

This groundbreaking research has the potential to revolutionize the management of lung health, particularly for cystic fibrosis—a rare but life-altering genetic disorder with no known cure. Dr. Zengler emphasizes that this project represents a novel approach to infectious diseases that hasn’t been explored extensively before. If successful, it could redefine our understanding and treatment of microbe-related illnesses.

The PROTECT project aims to build a robust community of beneficial lung microbes that can outcompete harmful pathogens. By isolating probiotic bacteria from the microbiomes of healthy individuals, the researchers will seek strains that can thrive in the lung environment and consume resources that pathogens depend on to survive.

The project not only strives to protect lung health but also aims to monitor the effectiveness of the probiotics using engineered signaling molecules. Initially, the focus will be on cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, with the potential for wider application in other lung-related conditions.

Over four years, the research will progress through different phases. The first phase centers on identifying competitive niches within the airway microbiome, particularly zeroing in on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Researchers will recruit patient cohorts and sample their microbiomes to identify bacterial strains that could serve as effective probiotics, especially in the context of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

The next step involves a detailed analysis of microbial interactions and metabolic traits through meta-functional genomics, which are vital for creating effective probiotic formulations. These formulations will undergo testing in cystic fibrosis mouse models, aiming for compositions that can be easily transitioned into clinical settings.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that represents one of the most pressing concerns for cystic fibrosis patients due to its high levels of antibiotic resistance. It affects 60-80% of adults living with the disease, leading to rapid lung decline and increased pulmonary exacerbations—serious episodes where symptoms worsen dramatically.

Chronic infections with this pathogen contribute to elevated mortality rates and impose a significant healthcare burden due to the frequency of hospitalizations and extended antibiotic treatments. Finding ways to eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa is essential, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatments—especially since it is a leading cause of both hospital- and ventilator-associated pneumonias.

With a total budget of $22.7 million, this ambitious project promises to make strides forward in the battle against lung infections. Among the other project co-principal investigators is Dr. Adam P. Arkin, Dean A. Richard Newton Memorial Professor at UC Berkeley’s Department of Bioengineering, signaling a stellar team poised to change the landscape of respiratory health.

Stay tuned: the future of lung health management could be shifting toward a probiotic revolution that not only benefits cystic fibrosis patients but also opens doors for new treatments across various respiratory conditions!