Interview: Stefan Roos, new member of the NextBioForm board

Stefan's role is to lead research and development projects that encompass everything from basic characterization of bacterial strains to generating knowledge relevant to the production of both probiotics and LBP. Within the framework of NBF, he has been leading a project over the past year titled "Impact of formulation and freeze drying on the properties and performance of freeze-dried Limosilactobacillus reuteri R2LC."

"The project has increased our understanding of how various factors interact and affect quality. By analyzing both physicochemical and biological properties, we have also discovered valuable relationships that can explain the survival, vitality, and stability of the bacteria," says Stefan.

What was the reason for you/your organization to choose to be a part of NextBioForm?

"Formulation and freeze-drying are, of course, crucial steps in the production of both traditional probiotic supplements and live biotherapeutic products (LBP), and there is a significant need to increase knowledge in this area. Another reason is that NBF provides us with an opportunity to collaborate with researchers with complementary expertise and access to important infrastructure."

"Nisha Tyagi, whom you have supervised, successfully defended her thesis. What is the next step in your research/development?"

"Live biotherapeutic products and probiotics contain living microorganisms, and in addition to a sufficiently high concentration and stability, they must also have high vitality, meaning that they quickly activate and become active when they reach the site where they are intended to work, such as in the intestines or at a wound. A future goal is to study this activation in models that simulate conditions in the intestine."