Engineered Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum As a Pulmonary Theranostic

My team and I are developing a platform biosensor technology, consisting of genetically engineered lactobacillus plantarum administered to the lower respiratory tract. Using mouse models, we have recently demonstrated that these engineered bacteria may be specifically delivered to the lungs, where they can secrete urinary signals in response to molecules sensed there, and do not colonize or produce a significant adaptive immune response. We have engineered these bacteria to detect pathogens, specific mammalian cells, or damaged tissue. We have also engineered them for therapeutic purposes, by secreting antibiotic peptides and biofilm-degrading enzymes to fight antibiotic-resistant lung pathogens. We will present recent results from the use of these engineered bacteria to detect model lung tumors in immune competent mice.