Discover Magazine: Why bacteria are the new disease fighters

Bacteria are often thought of as the "bad guys" when it comes to our health, but many good bacteria are useful and needed to perform certain functions.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a probiotic bacteria that helps to break down cancer cell's defenses, making other treatments more effective.

Nalinikanth Kotagiri, PhD, an assistant professor in UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and a UC Cancer Center member, told Discover Magazine that engineered bacteria help to reshape the body's immune system, enabling it to better fight diseases like cancer.

“Unlike antibody-based drugs that we take only once we have a diagnosis, these engineered bacteria can be integrated into the microbiome that’s already there,” Kotagiri said.

Read the Discover Magazine story. (Note: A web login or subscription may be needed to access the article.)  

Read more about Kotagiri's research.

Featured photo at top of Dr. Kotagiri working in his lab. Photo/Colleen Kelley/University of Cincinnati.