Selected topics in probiotics and prebiotics: meeting report for the 2004 international scientific association for probiotics and prebiotics.
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.
Sanders
Mary Ellen
ME
Dairy and Food Culture Technologies, 7119 S. Glencoe Ct., Centennial, CO 80122-2526, USA. MES@mesanders.com
Guarner
Francisco
F
Mills
David
D
Pot
Bruno
B
Rafter
Joseph
J
Rastall
Bob
B
Reid
Gregor
G
Ringel
Yehuda
Y
Rowland
Ian
I
Saarela
Maria
M
Tuohy
Kieran
K
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