Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Engineered E. coli Nissle strains (SYNB1618 and SYNB1934) expressing phenylalanine-degrading enzymes successfully reduce fasting plasma phenylalanine levels in patients with Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Phase 1/2a and Phase 2 trials.
For PKU patients, engineered bacteria are showing promise in clinical trials to lower blood phenylalanine levels. This could eventually offer more dietary flexibility, but these treatments are not yet widely available.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
This strain was further engineered (SYNB1934) to generate higher bacterial PAL activity... both strains demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in fasting plasma Phe (www.synlogictx.com).
Why this rating
Positive results in Phase 1/2a and Phase 2 trials; pivotal Phase 3 planned.
Source
Engineering bacteria to modulate host metabolism
Dragos Ciocan et al. · Acta Physiologica · 2023
DOI 10.1111/apha.14001
narrative_reviewCited 16×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Engineered bacteria (SYNB1020) that overproduce arginine to convert gut ammonia into L-arginine successfully lower systemic ammonia and improve survival in animal models of liver failure, but failed to show efficacy in a Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial for cirrhosis patients.Moderate
- Engineered bacteria producing GLP-1 or butyrate can improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and reduce body weight in animal models of obesity and diabetes.Moderate
Related findings · Micronutrients & recovery
- Trans fats (industrial trans-fatty acids) are unequivocally harmful and should be completely avoided as they raise LDL-C, TGs, and Apo B while lowering HDL-C.Strong
- For menopausal women with osteoporosis, first-line pharmacologic therapies include alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, and denosumab for the prevention of hip, nonvertebral, and vertebral fractures.Strong
- Folic acid fortification of flour prevents neural tube birth defects, and mandatory fortification is more effective than voluntary supplementation alone.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →