Dental caries is a widespread oral disease that is costly for health services to treat, and causes pain and loss of teeth to those affected. It is caused by production of acid by oral bacteria in biofilms on the teeth and gums commonly known as dental plaque. Brushing teeth can reduce this problem, but many people do not do so regularly or thoroughly. This project will investigate the application of bacterial replacement therapy in the form of a lozenge containing a suitable probiotic strain to help develop an anti-caries environment within the dental plaque biofilm. The project will combine the strengths of two UK SMEs, a world class culture collection centre and a leading probiotics manufacturer. The project will investigate strains held within the NCIMB culture collection for their potential to create novel biofilms to combat dental caries..

Probiotics are live microorganisms which when taken in adequate amounts confer health benefits. Changing diets and lifestyles have seen an increase in diet-related health conditions which probiotics acting as novel functional food ingredients can help. There are many probiotic species but the majority of commercial products are restricted to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. This project will therefore examine the potential to increase the health benefits offered by microorganisms by exploring new genera for probiotic potential. The project brings together experience in previous research studies and in long term protection and storage of microorganisms. The project will combine the strengths of two UK SMEs, a world class culture collection centre, NCIMB Ltd, and a leading probiotic manufacturer, PIL, in their first collaborative R&D project together to explore the potential of introducing novel food supplement and functional food products.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides produced from starch hydrolysis using bacterial enzymes. They are safe, natural products that trap, solubilise, and stabilise a range of bioactive molecules. They are highly selective with applications in food, food supplements, personal care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, paints, and surface coatings. The market for cyclodextrins is growing rapidly as new uses are found. There are three natural cyclodextrins on the market differing in size and binding characteristics. Size is determined by the number of glucose units in the ring structure (6,7 or 8). The applicant (NCIMB) has acquired rights to a unique bacterial enzyme that produces a smaller cyclodextrin with either 4 or 5 glucose units. A smaller cyclodextrin offers more selectivity for smaller molecules and should support new applications and market opportunities in gas adsorption and bioremediation. Proof of concept data has been obtained and used to support a patent family. Moreover, a route to enzyme manufacture has been established using a bacterial strain engineered to over express the enzyme. The bacterial host is robust and relatively easy to scale. In this 12-month project, NCIMB plans to demonstrate a route to enzyme manufacture and produce sufficient enzyme for characterisation. Specialist sub-contractor IBioIC will develop fermentation and purification protocols for enzyme production. NCIMB will characterise the enzyme and use to produce the cyclodextrin product from starch. Specialist sub-contractor (Ludger) will then analyse the cyclodextrin product to confirm size and purity. At project end, we should have a robust data package for market engagement and technology licensing to chemical companies producing and selling cyclodextrins. **The identification, characterisation, and exploitation of a novel cyclodextrin will strengthen the existing data and generate new intellectual property around manufacture. The technology supports new markets and a global business opportunity for NCIMB.**

This feasibility study will investigate the potential of transferring competency and methods developed for use in the oil industry for the determination of bacterial populations, to the production of renewable energy from wastes and other renewable sources using anaerobic digestion (AD) technology. Improved performance and lowering of associated risks in AD will contribute to improved energy security, management and storage of energy in the form of biogas. The study will be a new collaboration for NCIMB and ORA bringing together expertise in AD process technology together with molecular microbial monitoring to bring a new model for optimising process control and improve efficiencies of operation.

Microbial biofilms can cause significant economic and environmental issues in oilfield systems from reduction in flow rates, souring of crude oil and contribution to corrosion of concrete and metal surfaces. Current methods for the control of biofilms in these situations include the use of chemical biocides which are expensive and can lead to environmental contamination. This project will evaluate the application of bacteriophage as a natural alternative for biofilm control in oilfield systems. Although phage technology is not novel in itself its application it has not been used actively in industrial situations. This project will evaluate the application of phage technology for biocontrol for assets in the UK North Sea continental shelf.