Smart Microbeads for a revitalised Gut

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a group of debilitating conditions affecting up to 40% of the global population, significantly impairing quality of life and driving up healthcare costs. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of FGIDs, such as inflammation, increased intestinal permeability, and gut microbiome disruptions.The SMartGut project aims to develop innovative therapeutic microbeads that encapsulate probiotics within a photo-crosslinkable biopolymer-based core. To enhance functionality, SMartGut will employ the Layer-by-Layer assembly technique to create a nanoscale protective and bioactive coating on the therapeutic microbeads surface. This coating can incorporate antioxidants to reduce inflammation and improve probiotic adhesion in the gut, and targeted peptides to strengthen gut barrier function.The therapeutic microbeads will be evaluated for their structural, morphological, and physico-chemical properties, followed by assessing the release kinetics of the bioactive components of the therapeutic microbeads and the survival of the encapsulated probiotic strains in the intestine using a simulated gastrointestinal digestion test designed for both healthy adults and the elderly. This test will ensure the effectiveness of the therapeutic microbeads in reducing gut inflammation, restoring the microbiome, and reinforcing intestinal epithelial junctions to address FGIDs. Then, the therapeutic microbeads will be incorporated into food models to evaluate their stability and impact on food characteristics while preserving their bioactivity features after food storage.SMartGut has the potential to revolutionize FGID treatment by delivering a multifunctional therapeutic system that targets the core factors of these disorders. SMartGut promises significant scientific, societal, and economic impact by introducing a novel approach to FGID management and advancing the development of functional foods.