Unlocking the Power of Common Food Bacteria: A Revolution in Nutrition and Medicine

Scientists at Rice University have made an exciting discovery about a bacterium called Lactococcus lactis. This bacterium can be engineered to produce more vitamin K₂, which is crucial for bone health, blood clotting, and vascular function.

The research shows how L. lactis manages its production of a key precursor to vitamin K₂. It creates just enough for its own needs while avoiding toxic build-up. Professor Caroline Ajo‑Franklin, one of the study authors, explains that understanding how these microbes regulate their vitamin production could revolutionize nutrition and medicine.

The potential here is significant. Current vitamin production often relies on chemical synthesis or extraction from plants and animals, which can be costly and less eco-friendly. By harnessing microbes like L. lactis, it may become possible to produce vitamins more sustainably. The vitamins could be cheaper and easier to obtain, especially in remote areas or even in space.

Vitamin K₂ deficiency can lead to serious issues, including bleeding disorders, particularly in newborns. In the U.S., newborns receive a vitamin K₂ shot at birth to prevent such complications. Many people may not get enough vitamin K₂ from their diets, particularly if they follow vegan diets or lack fermented foods.

The research employed a multi-faceted approach: biosensing, genetic engineering, and mathematical modeling. The scientists built a custom biosensor that detects vitamin K₂ precursors with remarkable sensitivity. This technology helps them understand how genetic factors and substrate availability impact vitamin production.

Interestingly, they found that simply increasing enzyme levels didn’t necessarily boost output due to limited precursor materials. They likened it to trying to bake more cookies without enough flour. The team discovered that rearranging the genes in DNA affected how much precursor the bacterium produced. This insight unveils a previously unknown layer of control over vitamin K₂ production.

In competitive research, similar techniques are being applied to improve the production of other essential vitamins like B₁₂ and C using microorganisms. As awareness grows about the potential of engineerable microbes, the idea of relying on them for vitamin production is gaining traction. This could provide a more effective method of absorption compared to standard vitamin tablets.

To dive deeper into this topic, you can find the full study in the journal mBio [here](https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00887-25).

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