Leading PI: Christoph Wittmann (Saarland University)
Curcuminoids, secondary metabolites found in turmeric (Curcuma longa, L.), exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Notably, they have anti-HPV (human papilloma virus) activity, which is significant since chronic HPV infections cause over 99% of cervical cancer cases. Due to the lack of medication for HPV infections, curcuminoid supplementation offers a promising solution for many women. However, poor bioavailability upon oral administration is a major challenge.
This proposal aims to develop a curcuminoid-producing living material. By combining metabolic and biomaterial engineering, Corynebacterium glutamicum, a bacterium with GRAS status widely used in biotechnology, will be upgraded into a designer cell factory and embedded in a crème/gel-like matrix for direct application. This approach offers a novel solution to overcome drug delivery challenges in cervical cancer treatment
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