The breakthrough with Nicotiana benthamiana could lead to more nutritious and affordable infant formula by incorporating a broader array of HMOs.
Scientists have successfully genetically engineered a close relative of the tobacco plant to produce nutrients found in human breast milk.
For thousands of years, breast milk has been considered the ideal source of nutrition for infants. Packed with essential nutrients and immune-boosting compounds, it provides a perfect start for a healthy life. But for some mothers, breastfeeding isn’t always an option.
This has led to the development of infant formula, but it often lacks the complex sugars found in breast milk called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
Now, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have taken a major leap forward, genetically engineering a plant to produce these vital HMOs, paving the way for a new generation of infant formula and potentially even healthier plant-based alternatives for adults.
The research team, led by Dr. Patrick Shih, has demonstrated that the genetically modified Nicotiana benthamiana can produce HMOs.
The potential of HMOs
Human breast milk contains approximately 200 different HMOs, making them the third most abundant solid component. While indigestible to the nursing infant, HMOs serve as a crucial food source for beneficial gut bacteria during the initial weeks of life.
Promoting healthy gut bacteria, HMOs have been linked to a reduced risk of viral and bacterial infections and potentially offer other health advantages.
Currently, only a limited number of HMOs can be synthesized using engineered E. coli bacteria, a method that is both challenging and costly. Major infant formula manufacturers are beginning to include these HMOs in their products, but the complexity and expense of the process have limited their widespread adoption.
The genetically modified Nicotiana benthamiana offers a promising alternative, capable of producing a broader array of HMOs more efficiently.
Genetic engineering breakthroughs
In their study, the scientists at UC Berkeley reprogrammed the sugar-making machinery of Nicotiana benthamiana. They inserted genes designed to produce specific enzymes required to assemble basic sugars, called monosaccharides, into complex HMO structures. The genetically modified plants were able to produce 11 known HMOs, a significant advancement in the field.“We made all three major groups of human milk oligosaccharides,” Shih stated. “To my knowledge, no one has ever demonstrated that you could make all three of these groups simultaneously in a single organism.”
This achievement includes producing LNFP1, an HMO associated with reduced infant infections that cannot be efficiently produced using microbial fermentation methods.
Future implications and challenges
Shih envisions a future where infant formula can be significantly improved by incorporating these plant-produced HMOs, potentially leading to healthier and more affordable options for babies.
“Imagine being able to make all the human milk oligosaccharides in a single plant. Then you could just grind up that plant, extract all the oligosaccharides simultaneously, and add that directly into infant formula,” he explained.
While acknowledging the challenges in implementation and commercialization, Shih is optimistic about the potential of this technology. Beyond infant nutrition, the implications of this research extend to broader dietary and health applications. “This could enable not just improved plant-based milks for infants but also for many other facets of adult diet and health,” Shih noted.
He also added that plants have already been genetically engineered to produce healthier oils and fatty acids, and this is just one example of the many ways we can create designer plants to enhance human health.
The approach developed by Shih and his colleagues could pave the way for more nutritious non-dairy plant milks for adults and potentially lead to new HMO-based medicines.
The study was published in the journal Nature Food.
source:https://interestingcengineering.com/health/tobacco-like-plant-engineered-produce-breastmilk