Experts in microbiology to discuss how microorganisms and their interactions with the human body, environment and cosmetic products are key to improving health
BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the environment. Some may cause disease, but most do not. More than 100 trillion live within the human gut, mouth, skin and other mucosal surfaces. Studies involving human-associated microorganisms suggest that large numbers of microorganisms assist in maintaining processes necessary for a healthy body. Changes in the human microbiome, however, may result in disease, or contribute to prevention. At the Winter 2015 Avant Institute Symposium, experts in microorganisms and the microbiome will present the results of their latest research focused on microorganism intervention strategies.
“Microbiome research has grown from a single discipline to one that encompasses research across many different scientific fields, said Paul Mouser, Ph.D., principal scientist, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “Expertise is required across a number of scientific disciplines to understand better the dynamic mechanisms that alter the microbial-host interface and to develop intervention strategies. The Avant Institute Symposium will bring together experts in a number of areas and leverage all this knowledge to develop strategies that will allow us to manipulate the microbial communities for the benefit of human health and wellbeing.”
Dr. Julia Oh, from the Jackson Laboratory, will outline how sequence-based analysis of microbial community structure and organization has yielded valuable insights into the microbial diversity and function of its different body niches. According to Dr. Oh, understanding the function, structure and dynamics of the microbiome is important to design therapeutics that precisely target the pathogen of interest, yet spare the surrounding beneficial microbiota.
Professor Elizabeth Grice, from the Department of Dermatology, School of Public Health, University of Pennsylvania, will discuss cutaneous host-microbe interactions. Dr. Grice hypothesizes, based on laboratory investigations, that disruption of these interactions during wound healing leads to impaired healing and infectious complications.
Dr. Petros Gebreselassie, Ph.D., technical manager, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, will outline strategies to eradicate harmful bacteria in an oral environment, a region that, historically, has been a challenge to control using antibacterial agents.
Dr. Karen Winkoswki, Ph.D., global technical director, Ashland Specialty Ingredients will discuss the concept of hurdle technology, wherein various factors that may affect microbial growth are considered to develop consumer care products that are less prone to microbial contamination.
“Understanding the mode of action of different preservatives and preservation technologies, exploiting their synergies and interactions with other formulation components and utilizing effective delivery systems, provides a scientific basis for the design of a successful preservation approach,” she said.
For more information about these and other research papers, visit the Avant Institute at www.ashland.com/pages/avant-institute/winter-2015.
The Avant Institute was established by Ashland (NYSE: ASH) in 2009 to foster and promote scientific research relevant to the development and commercialization of technologies for the personal care industry. The symposium serves as a forum to advance the latest ideas in science and to apply that knowledge in commercialization activities.
Most recently, the Avant Institute convened in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss the skin barrier, skin regeneration, and skin aging. Earlier this year, the Avant Institute convened in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss how specific hair types, distinguished by protein architecture and overall morphology, behave during treatment and styling with film-forming polymers. A series of presentations covered topics such as the origins of macroscopic variation in differentiated ethnic hair types; the effects of shape memory and composite behavior of hair fibers during styling; and mapping the local properties of polymers at interfaces and their multiscale impact.
About Ashland Specialty Ingredients
Ashland Specialty Ingredients is the leading global producer of cellulose ethers and a global leader in vinyl pyrrolidones. It offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product-performance challenges. Using natural, synthetic and semisynthetic polymers derived from plant and seed extract, cellulose ethers and vinyl pyrrolidones, as well as acrylic and polyurethane-based adhesives, Specialty Ingredients offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for today’s demanding consumer and industrial applications. Key customers include: pharmaceutical companies; makers of personal care products, food and beverages; manufacturers of paint, coatings and construction materials; packaging and converting; and oilfield service companies.
About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three business units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline – we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ashland Contact:
Linda Heider
lheider@ashland.com
+33 492 941 606
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