Research Projects

"The project aims to investigate the potential probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii mediated epigenetic regulation of colorectal carcinogenesis as a biotherapeutic strategy. Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer type worldwide, and chronic inflammation significantly changes the cell epigenetic signature of genes leading to cancer progression. A therapeutic agent permanently residing inside the human body could be chosen to fight cancer cells continuously from the beginning. Saccharomyces boulardii has been reported to have anti-tumor activity, but the mechanism of action is poorly explored. The study aims to understand the start of inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, whether Saccharomyces boulardii affects the methylation of these genes, and whether the expression of these genes affects the population of Saccharomyces boulardii in the gut. The objectives include analyzing expression and promoter methylation of colorectal cancer biomarker genes (SOX21, SLC6A15, and IRF4) in Saccharomyces boulardii exposed tissue, analyzing promoter reactivation by metabolites extracted from co-cultured Saccharomyces boulardii, and analyzing the adhesion potential of Saccharomyces boulardii with SOX21, SLC6A15, and IRF4 overexpressing colon cancer cells (HCT-15). The project aims to identify the target genes, epigenetic modification, and stage of carcinogenesis that can be modified by engineered Saccharomyces boulardii to use it as a biotherapeutic agent. Exploring the epigenetic modification of SOX21 and IRF4 in the blood may suggest it as a blood-based marker for the detection of colorectal cancer."