Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

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Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre
Pharmabiotic Nutraceutical Functional
Food Probiotic
from bugs to drugs.
Pharma
Food
Mission Statement
Linking Irish science with industry to drive
excellence in research, education and outreach in
gastrointestinal health
Sally Cudmore, General Manager s.cudmore_at_ucc.ie
021 4901320
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The human genome does not encode enough
information for full development of some internal
organs
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Intestinal Bacteria - the hidden organ

• 1-2kg of bacteria in human gut
• More bacteria than cells in the body
• Metabolic activity - a virtual organ
• Microbiome gt human genome!
• Resident bacteria influence health disease

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Intestinal Bacteria

• Pros (flora as an asset)
• Defense - bacterial antagonism
• Priming of mucosal immunity
• Peristalsis
• Metabolism of dietary carcinogens
• Synthesis of B K vitamins
• Epithelial nutrients e.g. SCFAs
• Conversion of prodrugs

Bifidobacteria

• Cons (as a liability)
• Procarcinogens ? carcinogens
• Overgrowth syndromes
• Opportunism - Translocation
• Essential ingredient for IBD

Lactobacillus
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Life without Gut Bacteria

• Immature digestive tract
• Abnormal gut transit
• Poor stress response
• Immune deficient
• Reduced defence against infection
• Malnutrition

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Science 25 March 2005
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APC Research Cores
APC Technology Platforms Germ Free Metagenomics B
ioIT
Bacterial signalling
Brain-Gut Axis
Host Response
Outreach and Education
Bacterial Metabolism
GI Tract Pathogens
Genomics and Bioinformatics
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Bioprospecting in the GIT
Anti-microbials Metabolic signals Anti-inflammator
ies Anti/pro-carcinogens Nutrients
Bugs to Drugs Functional foods
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APC Research Team
Gastroenterology, psychiatry, immunology,
microbiology, cell biology, neurophysiology,
biochemistry, food science, nutrition,
pharmacology, clinical trials, education and
outreach, intellectual property
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A successful model - Irish biotech company linked
with multinationals - Maximum benefit to
Ireland inc.
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Irish Ideas to a Global Marketplace
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Attracting inward RD investment
CSETs have sufficient critical mass to be
attractive to multinationals as external research
collaborators
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APC Road Map
APC CSET Funded Oct 2003
World class fundamental research
4 year Review 2008
2 year Review 2005

• International research reputation
• Robust Industry Partnerships
• GI Therapeutics in the marketplace
• Graduate courses/school
• Food for Health Research Partnership

2006

20m
1.8m
12m
2013
20 new staff
5 new staff
HRB, EU, FIRM, IRCSET, EI, HEA, Broad Foundation
Platform Technologies
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APC Outreach
GI Jake, Luke OCyte, Pat OGen GUT Reaction
3D computer game Gut Buster 2D mobile phone
game YOUR ALIMENTARY CANAL Poster
apc.ucc.ie
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Leveraging

• CSET is a major part of the APC
• APC critical mass
• Facilitated recruitment and infrastructure
• APC bigger than the CSET
• Leverage additional funds
• Attract industry partners
• Of the 120 staff associated with the APC, approx
  40 are paid by CSET

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Contact Details Dr. Sally Cudmore General
Manager Alimentary Pharmabiotic
Centre BioSciences Institute UCC Tel 021
4901320 s.cudmore_at_ucc.ie http//apc.ucc.ie and
http//microbemagic.ucc.ie