In a new publication, our team introduces a concept — optimizing gut microbiota functionality, not just composition. Combining personalized, targeted modulation with multi-omics analysis and artificial intelligence, it shows how microbiome science can make improvements in human health.

Julia Reuter

Co-Chairs: Martin Haranta, Peter Kurti and Benjamin A. H. Jensen

Chair: Koen Venema

More speakers to be confirmed

Many patients with Parkinson’s disease suffer from gastrointestinal issues and low-grade inflammation, likely linked to hallmark protein alpha-synuclein. The evidence of a disturbed microbiota-gut-brain axis homeostasis in Parkinson's is increasing but is largely limited to associations rather than causative links.

Production of metabolites beneficial to health by LAB, such as bacteriocins (antimicrobial peptides) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, considered the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system of animals.

Plant niches may function as microbial conditioning environments. This study investigates whether Cannabis sativa fermentation reshapes kefir-derived bacteria toward enhanced gastrointestinal resilience and neuroactive potential, offering a novel strategy for developing next-generation psychobiotic candidates.

Previous research on the probiotic strain HEAL9 has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in healthy individuals in terms of cognition, overall wellbeing and sleep, as well as mitigation of cognitive impairment and decreased disease progression in an Alzheimer’s Disease mouse model.

A six‑month clinical study found that Pacran™, a standardized whole‑cranberry fruit formula, supports urinary health through modulation of the urinary microbiome. It reduced rUTI risk and modulated key bacterial taxa, suggesting a potential novel microbiome‑mediated mechanism of action.

This presentation introduces Weizmannia coagulans BC99, a spore forming probiotic with high stability, safety, and efficacy, covering its R&D, validation, applications, and industrialisation for global market use.

Chair: Koen Venema

Co-chair: George Paraskevakos

More speakers to be confirmed

Regulatory overview of product registration for human and animal nutrition in the EU.

The presentation provides an overview of the evolving legal framework and current market practices governing probiotics in Europe. It highlights the role of IPA Europe in positioning the sector within the priorities of the EU Strategy for European Life Sciences.

Accurate and standardized reporting of probiotic viable counts is essential for transparency and reproducibility in clinical studies; however, current reporting practices are often unclear. We therefore recommend explicitly indicating what the stated probiotic dose refers to within clinical study reporting.

Speaker: Bernardo Candia-Herrera

Speaker: Lola Giner-Perez