The rise of multidrug resistant forms of microbial pathogens imposes a serious problem to public health worldwide. The rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance is associated with misuse of conventional antibiotics. The latter may also impose a range of side/toxic effects on the host (humans). In addition, conventional antibiotics eliminate natural (beneficial) microflora, thus leading to various complications.Thus, a search for alternative intervention strategies for fighting bacterial infections is extremely important, topical and timely. One promising approach is the use of beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) able to compete with and kill pathogenic bacteria without doing any harm to the host.Probiotic bacteria are known to be able to boost protection against pathogens and may thus play an important role in prophylaxis of infectious diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of probiotic action are not well understood and can be strain-related.
MSC Biotechnology (University of Greenwich, United Kingdom)
PHD Microbiology and Cell Sciences Student