The company BioSpi, founded by students from the National University of San Luis and the National Technical University (Region of Córdoba), will represent Argentina and Latin America in the Grand Jamboree, a global competition initiated by MIT that rewards the best Entrepreneurship Biotech of the Year. The event will take place in Paris from November 2 to 5 and will be attended by researchers, investors, multinational companies and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The project is implemented by local experts – With the participation of experts from Conicet and the Catholic University of Cuyo – and give them a chance to be among the 15 finalists (Out of 350 submissions from around the world) It is an oral vaccine for birds.. The goal is to reduce the spread of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that is the leading cause of food poisoning in humans around the world.
“After eating the fish, IChicken is the second most consumed animal protein in the world.So the idea of the project is to use vaccines to reduce the spread of disease between birds and humans. That is, the animals become resistant to the bacteria so that they are unable to retain them in their intestines or transmit them to humans,” said Conicet researcher Martín Rinaldi, a member of the working group.
Among its consequences, diseases transmitted from birds to humans cause various health problems in humans and mainly affect the poultry industry, causing huge economic and food production losses.
In this framework, Scientists have developed a vaccine based on spirulina, a microalgae considered a “superfood” for its nutritional properties. Because it contains minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. In addition, it helps lower cholesterol, has antioxidant properties, is easy to digest, creates a feeling of satiety, and fights mental fatigue and fatigue.
Experts are seeking financing to cover logistical costs and move from St. Louis to Paris.. “We have to remember that participation is not just the four-day event itself, but also the installation of a stand that showcases not only the project but also our country. We therefore consider it important not only to participate in this event, but And it’s strategic,” Rinaldi stressed.
Less fatal but common
According to the World Health Organization, Campylobacter is one of the top four causes of diarrheal disease worldwide and is considered the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in the world.. Although the infection is usually mild, it can be fatal in young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised.
The genus Campylobacter includes 17 species and 6 subspecies, of which Campylobacter jejuni is the most common in human diseases.same May cause abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting lasting three to six days.
Although the disease may have multiple causes (undercooked, spoiled, unhygienic meat products, contaminated or uncooked milk), consumption of undercooked poultry meat is estimated to be the main source of infection.
“This condition is mostly caused by undercooked meat, dairy products, and eggs.. This can happen during faulty slaughtering processes with poor hygienic conditions, cutting off the cold chain and consuming these undercooked foods,” the expert stressed.