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BENEFICIAL BACTERIA STUDIES EARN MACARTHUR GRANT FOR CALTECH PROFESSOR
Pasadena Star-News (California)
October 2, 2012 Tuesday
By James Figueroa, SGVN twitter.com/jfigscribe
Ten years ago, Sarkis Mazmanian became intrigued by beneficial bacteria
in the human body, instead of the dominant microbiological research on
harmful organisms, such as the bacteria that causes staph infections.
Since then, his research as a Caltech professor has helped shift
scientific concepts about how bacteria supports the immune system,
and could lead to the development of natural treatments for diseases
such as multiple sclerosis.
Mazmanian's work was innovative enough to earn him a MacArthur
Fellowship, announced Tuesday.
"(I was in) was complete and utter shock," Mazmanian said from Armenia,
where he is providing educational services for a week. "It's like
hoping to win the lottery."
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation named Mazmanian
one of 23 recipients of its "genius grants," rewarding creative work
across a wide range of fields.
The nomination process for the grants is confidential, and winners
aren't aware of anything until the foundation calls with the news.
Other 2012 recipients are Elissa Hallem, a UCLA neurobiologist; Uta
Barth, a Los Angeles-based abstract photographer; and Chris Thile,
a mandolin composer and past member of the band Nickel Creek.
Each recipient receives $500,000 paid over five years, which can be
used for any purpose.
Mazmanian doesn't have concrete plans for the money, but hopes to
provide Armenians with better opportunities for higher education and
improve poor laboratory conditions.
Last year, Mazmanian led research published in the journal Science
that showed how beneficial gut bacteria holds the key for immune
system reactions to pathogens such as salmonella.
"What we've discovered is that specific microbes are terrific at
balancing immune responses," he said. "What these organisms have
`learned' over millions of years is how to prevent unwanted attacks
against them without not compromising their host."
While the science has led to more probiotics available in supermarkets,
either as medication or in yogurt, none of those products have been
subjected to scientific rigor, Mazmanian said.
However, scientists have known for at least 100 years that some
bacteria in the body is helpful.
Mazmanian's Caltech lab is now trying to develop a bacteria
molecule-based treatment for multiple sclerosis and inflammatory
bowel disease.
The research so far has been limited to mice, but Mazmanian believes it
will take only about two to three years to begin doing small clinical
trials in humans.
"If we are lucky enough it would take probably close to 10 or 12
years before there's actually a pharmaceutical therapy," he said.
From: Baghdasarian
Pasadena Star-News (California)
October 2, 2012 Tuesday
By James Figueroa, SGVN twitter.com/jfigscribe
Ten years ago, Sarkis Mazmanian became intrigued by beneficial bacteria
in the human body, instead of the dominant microbiological research on
harmful organisms, such as the bacteria that causes staph infections.
Since then, his research as a Caltech professor has helped shift
scientific concepts about how bacteria supports the immune system,
and could lead to the development of natural treatments for diseases
such as multiple sclerosis.
Mazmanian's work was innovative enough to earn him a MacArthur
Fellowship, announced Tuesday.
"(I was in) was complete and utter shock," Mazmanian said from Armenia,
where he is providing educational services for a week. "It's like
hoping to win the lottery."
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation named Mazmanian
one of 23 recipients of its "genius grants," rewarding creative work
across a wide range of fields.
The nomination process for the grants is confidential, and winners
aren't aware of anything until the foundation calls with the news.
Other 2012 recipients are Elissa Hallem, a UCLA neurobiologist; Uta
Barth, a Los Angeles-based abstract photographer; and Chris Thile,
a mandolin composer and past member of the band Nickel Creek.
Each recipient receives $500,000 paid over five years, which can be
used for any purpose.
Mazmanian doesn't have concrete plans for the money, but hopes to
provide Armenians with better opportunities for higher education and
improve poor laboratory conditions.
Last year, Mazmanian led research published in the journal Science
that showed how beneficial gut bacteria holds the key for immune
system reactions to pathogens such as salmonella.
"What we've discovered is that specific microbes are terrific at
balancing immune responses," he said. "What these organisms have
`learned' over millions of years is how to prevent unwanted attacks
against them without not compromising their host."
While the science has led to more probiotics available in supermarkets,
either as medication or in yogurt, none of those products have been
subjected to scientific rigor, Mazmanian said.
However, scientists have known for at least 100 years that some
bacteria in the body is helpful.
Mazmanian's Caltech lab is now trying to develop a bacteria
molecule-based treatment for multiple sclerosis and inflammatory
bowel disease.
The research so far has been limited to mice, but Mazmanian believes it
will take only about two to three years to begin doing small clinical
trials in humans.
"If we are lucky enough it would take probably close to 10 or 12
years before there's actually a pharmaceutical therapy," he said.
From: Baghdasarian