title: Selected topics in probiotics and prebiotics: meeting report for the 2004 international scientific association for probiotics and prebiotics.
abstract: On August 29-31, 2004, 84 academic and industry scientists from 16 countries gathered in Copper Mountain, Colorado USA to discuss certain issues at the forefront of the science of probiotics and prebiotics. The format for this invitation only meeting included six featured lectures: engineering human vaginal lactobacilli to express HIV-inhibitory molecules (Peter Lee, Stanford University), programming the gut for health (Thaddeus Stappenbeck, Washington University School of Medicine), immune modulation by intestinal helminthes (Joel Weinstock, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics), hygiene as a cause of autoimmune disorders (G. A. Rook, University College London), prebiotics and bone health (Connie Weaver, Purdue University) and prebiotics and colorectal cancer risk (Ian Rowland, Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health). In addition, all participants were included in one of eight discussion groups on the topics of engineered probiotics, host-commensal bacteria communication, 'omics' technologies, hygiene and immune regulation, biomarkers for healthy people, prebiotic and probiotic applications to companion animals, development of a probiotic dossier, and physiological relevance of prebiotic activity. Brief conclusions from these discussion groups are summarized in this paper.
authors.affiliation: Dairy and Food Culture Technologies, 7119 S. Glencoe Ct., Centennial, CO 80122-2526, USA. MES@mesanders.com
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guarner
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pot
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rafter
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rastall
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ringel
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saarela
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tuohy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000235:genetics; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use