![extracellular matrix extracellular matrix](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9e/40/f2/9e40f2a4c64c42b24752336f06206109.jpg)
Because of this, the specially designed bacteria are naturally drawn to these cancers. Kotagiri said bacteria tend to thrive in low-oxygen and immunodeficient environments, two characteristics found in solid cancers.
![extracellular matrix extracellular matrix](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Catherine-Kuo-3/publication/263417722/figure/fig1/AS:614313362464780@1523475127278/There-are-several-physical-properties-of-the-extracellular-matrix-ECM-believed-to-in.png)
The vesicles carry the same materials present on the bacteria itself, so researchers designed the bacteria to carry an enzyme that breaks down cancers' extracellular matrix. In this case, the bacteria was engineered to secrete an abundance of smaller structures called outer membrane vesicles on the outer edge of cells. Through new technology, any protein or enzyme can be manufactured on the E. coli Nissle, a bacteria that has been used as a probiotic for around 100 years and is different from E. Shindu Thomas, the first author of this study and a graduate student in the Kotagiri lab, worked with E. The matrix forms a barrier around the cells and makes it harder for antibodies and immune cells to reach the tumors.
![extracellular matrix extracellular matrix](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z6aByDPXW44/maxresdefault.jpg)
Kotagiri explains many solid cancers have an extracellular matrix made up of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Winkle College of Pharmacy and a UC Cancer Center member, studies "solid cancers" or those defined as abnormal cellular growths in "solid" organs such as the breast or prostate, as opposed to leukemia, a cancer affecting the blood. Nalinikanth Kotagiri, PhD, the senior author of this study, an assistant professor in UC's James L. The findings were recently published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. University of Cincinnati researchers have now engineered a probiotic designed to target and break down cancer cell defenses, giving therapies an easier way inside to kill tumors.