SIFR - predictive ex vivo gut microbiome simulation

Commonly used acronym: SIFR

Download PDF

Scope of the method

The Method relates to

Animal health
Human health

The Method is situated in

Basic Research
Translational - Applied Research

Type of method

In vitro - Ex vivo

This method makes use of

Animal derived cells / tissues / organs

Description

Method keywords

gut microbiota
metabolomics
metagenomics
screening
mechanism of action
gut health
predictivity
humans

Scientific area keywords

fibre
probiotic
prebiotic
postbiotic
api
drug-bug interaction
host-microbiome interaction
inter-individual variability
IBD
pathogen
digestion
colonic fermentation
kinetics

Method description

The Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research technology, SIFR in short, is a uniquely validated simulation of gut microbial ecosystems, shown to be predictive for clinical outcomes. The SIFR can simulate a wide variety of gut microbiota from humans (infants, adults, elderly; healthy, diseased) to animals (pig, poultry, cat & dog). Working ex vivo (maintaining the integrity of the gut microbiome during the investigation) and integrating robotics for a high throughput, this versatile technology can address early and late preclinical needs: screening and in-depth mechanistic characterisation. Each study addresses interindividual variability in the target population.

Method status

History of use
Internally validated
Published in peer reviewed journal

Pros, cons & Future potential

Advantages

- Validated to be predictive for clinical outcomes
- Can address simultaneously a wide array of analytics: compositional, metabolic, host-microbiome interactions, fingerprinting...
- Gets rid of in vitro bias
- Embraces biological variation
- High-throughput and technically robust thanks to automation

Modifications

The SIFR is modular: pre-digestion, mucosal simulation, host-microbiome module.

References, associated documents and other information

References

Van den Abbeele P, Deyaert S, Thabuis C, Perreau C, Bajic D, Wintergerst E, Joossens M, Firrman J, Walsh D and Baudot A (2023) Bridging preclinical and clinical gut microbiota research using the ex vivo SIFR® technology. Front. Microbiol. 14:1131662. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1131662
Van den Abbeele, P.; Deyaert, S.; Albers, R.; Baudot, A.; Mercenier, A. Carrot RG-I Reduces Interindividual Differences between 24 Adults through Consistent Effects on Gut Microbiota Composition and Function Ex Vivo. Nutrients 2023, 15, 2090. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092090
Bajic, D.; Wiens, F.; Wintergerst, E.; Deyaert, S.; Baudot, A.; Van den Abbeele, P. HMOs Exert Marked Bifidogenic Effects on Children’s Gut Microbiota Ex Vivo, Due to Age-Related Bifidobacterium Species Composition. Nutrients 2023, 15, 1701. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071701
Van den Abbeele, P.; Goggans, M.; Deyaert, S.; Baudot, A.; Van de Vliet, M.; Calatayud Arroyo, M.; Lelah, M. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC 53608 Synergistically Boost Butyrate Levels upon Tributyrin Administration Ex Vivo. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 5859. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065859
Van den Abbeele, P.; Detzel, C.; Rose, A.; Deyaert, S.; Baudot, A.; Warner, C. Serum-Derived Bovine Immunoglobulin Stimulates SCFA Production by Specific Microbes in the Ex Vivo SIFR® Technology. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 659. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030659

Associated documents

2023 - SIFR validation.pdf