Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Algae4IBD (ALGAE4IBD –FROM NATURE TO BEDSIDE- ALGAE BASED BIO COMPOUND FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION, PAIN AND IBD)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-05-31
Problem to be solved: Millions of patients worldwide suffer from IBD, with a continued increase in incidence. In fact, new data demonstrate that IBD is far more common than expected; the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD) increased by 55% and 83% in 2000 and 2017, respectively. The study also showed that IBD prevalence is predicted to rise by almost a quarter from 2017 to 2025. This predicted rise in prevalence may place an even greater strain on already overburdened healthcare systems. For society, it is important to have a solution as at present, there is no known cure for IBD. IBD patients respond poorly to existing treatments that are often complex and costly, indicating a need for other biological options to improve the IBD symptoms, such as pain. As there is currently no known cure for IBD, patients will often need complex and costly treatments throughout their lives.
Algae4IBD offers a new approach using the algae as a novel aquatic natural source to provide solutions for IBD patients and prevent its incidents among the general population. Algae4IBD's mission is to discover algae-based small molecules through innovative use of algae from different origins. The overall objectives are: i) increased use of algae-based ingredients through the science-linked improvement of the algae’s nutritional quality; and ii) proving the positive effects of some of its derivatives on human health employing advanced technologies and by conducting in-vitro and pre-clinical studies.
Algae4IBD offers a new approach using the algae as a novel aquatic natural source to provide solutions for IBD patients and prevent its incidents among the general population. Algae4IBD's mission is to discover algae-based small molecules through innovative use of algae from different origins. The overall objectives are: i) increased use of algae-based ingredients through the science-linked improvement of the algae’s nutritional quality; and ii) proving the positive effects of some of its derivatives on human health employing advanced technologies and by conducting in-vitro and pre-clinical studies.
During RP1 & 2, project partners created a strain collection (<1000 micro/macro algae/cyanobacteria), and 150 strains were selected for the Algae4IBD research pipeline "ALGAE4IBD BANK". In RP1, biomass production was established for 91 strains of known and unstudied strains ; an extraction protocol was established for 33 strains to be tested. In RP2, biomass production was done for two strains of Group A & 57 of Group B, biomass extraction of eight strains of Group A & 110 of Group B, continuous photobioreactor was successfully operated, promising biomasses were extracted at a larger scale (kg), and cascading extractions were performed at VITO by SFE and re-extraction of remaining pellets with other solvents. Extracts were tested for anti-inflammatory and antioxidants, COX-1/2 inhibition, & prebiotic & antimicrobial properties. Additionally, compound composition identification was done. The literature survey for the information related to IBD, selecting the target probiotic microbes, and pathogenic food-borne microorganisms to develop ways to tackle IBD was published as a review. Extracts were evaluated for prebiotic activity using in vitro probiotic bacterial strains & for their antimicrobial activity by known pathogenic microorganisms. Algae4IBD has identified positive hits to be further explored and a priority list for testing positive hits in animal models was created. 189 extracts were tested for the capability to modulate ion channel activity as a readout of cellular excitability patterns. As a result of the cell-based platforms for pain-related activity & toxicity, 11 candidates were identified to continue in ex vivo mode. Eight extracts were used for PK in mice, and the results showed stability for all. Partners worked on the improvement of microalgae strains that grow well on solid agar medium and in heterotrophic conditions. This resulted in mutants with enhanced relevant compounds. Other strains have been improved by manipulation of cultivation conditions that led to high production of targeted compounds. Work on reserving the upscaled macroalgae for the food product development was done. Chosen extracts were evaluated for techno-functional properties with the food products Algae4IBD aims for. Two products were developed to test the incorporation of the extracts into the products while preserving the activity. Microencapsulation was done to develop the best protocol to address the extracts. Substantial progress has been made to formulate accurate business strategies for Algae4IBD commercial results. 12 Key Exploitable Results KERs have been identified & characterized, including planned exploitation pathways; their IP ownership was cleared with the best protection options. The writing of a provisional patent was initiated for the main joint KER. Business models were fine tuned for the two major applications of the project in functional food and pharma. Cost and environmental calculations were performed, with initial results. Communications reached & surpassed certain final goals and KPIs (LinkedIn followers). A communication and dissemination strategy were developed and built a visual identity (logo & templates). A website and social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn, & Instagram) were created, communication training was organized, a brochure & other material were designed, and published articles & social media channel content. A cluster with other Horizon 2020 projects with similar thematics was created (AIMS) and continued through joint meetings, joint articles, and social media promotion. The website received 7K visits; regular posts on social media channels led to 3K new followers. 7 interviews were published, reaching more than 12K people; 5 scientific papers published received almost 9K views and were cited 36 times. Summer school was planned with MIGAL & CCMAR, which took place during RP3.
The Algae4IBD project is clearly taking the needed steps towards the achievement of the different proposed impacts of this project. The Project Consortium contributed to create a synergy between their knowledge and expertise from algae culture, biotechnology, and industrial engineering to perform vast biological assessment research, embracing in vitro to preclinical approaches. Our findings are exciting and promising, and through further investigations we expect to be able to strengthen the evidence on the therapeutic potential of algae anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and prove that the compounds have profound anti-IBD activity. By using the multi-disciplinary lab to market pipeline, we aim to provide a novel alga derived eco-friendly, cost-effective product that can profoundly change the lives of millions of patients suffering from IBD. We have successfully implemented into the project the environmentally relevant ‘green’ concepts and technologies to develop new functional food, pharma and nutraceutical products that benefit human health. Several green extraction methods have already been used to achieve green abilities using supercritical CO2 and cascade approaches. Algea4IBD’s unique strain bank contains both culture collections, including extremophile strains. Most of them still understudied, as well as commercially available strains with some indication of promising health benefits already existing, have enabled us to exploit an enormous untapped, valuable source for novel bio compounds. After establishing our Algae4IBD BIOBANK based on our consortium members knowledge and activity, we will keep on defining the various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and probiotic and prebiotic symbiotic, aiming to bring to light new research fields and different molecules for relevant industries (cosmetics industry) besides the food and pharma. Moreover, a collaboration between the four projects under FNR-11-Call (AIMS) was established and started to share dissemination activities to increase stakeholders’ knowledge.