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Obesity has always been a threat to human health. It is estimated that 12.5% of people in the world suffer from obesity.
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Studies have shown that obesity can aggravate anxiety while depression and anxiety also fuel obesity. It is called the "depression-obesity circle”.
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How about bacteria that can consume fatty acid and generate antidepressants?
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Our engineering bacteria are expected to synthesize GABA and 5-HTP from fatty acids and glycerol, which serves the purpose of energy transfer. It may break this circle and alleviate people’s “body shame”.
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Then, we use E.coli Nissle 1917 as a chassis with enhanced capacity of β-oxidation of fatty acid, thereby increasing fatty acids consumption from diets to facilitate weight loss, and synthesize GABA and 5-HTP to make us get rid of depression.
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To sum up, BUCT hopes to realize a therapy which can treat obesity and make the world happier.