Molecular mechanisms of lifespan extension induced by exopolysaccharide-producing lactobacilli in the Caenorhabditis elegans

Program "Pokreni se za nauku", Phillip Morris Company, 2020-2021
Principal Investigator: Dr Miroslav Dinic, IMGGE
Participants from IMGGE: Dr Jelena Djokic, Dr Svetlana Sokovic Bajic, Dusan Radojevic, Emilija Brdaric

Gut microbiota is an important environmental factor that regulates the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract indirectly influencing the complex process of aging. Therefore, it is not surprising that disbalance of intestinal microbiota are associated with numerous diseases that occur during aging. Bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus represent the most studied constituents of the gut microbiota, which have been used as probiotics due to their safe status and positive effect on human health. Lactobacilli on cell wall surface could contain various polysaccharide molecules which, due to their localization, are named as exopolysaccharides. The presence of exopolysaccharides is not a common phenomenon and is considered as a very important characteristic of probiotics. The aim of proposed project is selection of the most promising candidates among exopolysaccharide-producing lactobacilli from the laboratory collection of the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology with the potential to extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and improve age-related physiological parameters in the nematodes (motility, fertility, metabolism). The selection of candidates with defined probiotic effects would be of great importance for the formulation of dietary supplements, innovative probiotic and starter cultures for the production of functional foods aimed to prevent various diseases in the general population.