Oleogels as controlled delivery systems for probiotics

Could you please share some details about the focus of your research and what the results mean?
My research topic is to develop a new oil-based delivery system for probiotics. Probiotics are sensitive to lots of stresses in the environment during processing, storage, and passage in the gut. The lethal rate from these stresses is high. However, we need an adequate number of live bacteria to insert health benefits.  I successfully developed an oleogel controlled delivery system that can protect the probiotics and maintain the viability of the encapsulated probiotics. This protection characteristic of oleogels covers from processing to storage and finally during the gastrointestinal tract. Meanwhile, this oleogel can have a controlled release of the live bacteria to the target location, in this case, is the later part of the small intestine. To conclude, the oleogel can largely increase the viability of the encapsulated probiotics by both the protection from stresses and target delivery.

In what ways has your affiliation with NextBioForm contributed to both you and your research? 
NextBioform provides a platform to present and discuss the research, for example, consortia meetings, work package meetings, and industry adviser meetings. They are very helpful to both my research and my scientific communication skills. NextBioform also provides a mentor-mentee program. My mentor has given me so much support during my PhD and has made the best out of me these years.
NextBioform also provides close collaboration with industries. I had lots of input from industry advisors from both Ferring and Biogaia.

How has it been doing a PhD within NextBioForm? 
It has been a great journey these four and half years.  I have a very interesting project, despite the challenges, I learned so much from this project. Nextbioform, along the journey, has facilitated industry resources, collaboration opportunities, and various communication ways.

During your PhD you have had close interactions with companies, how has that been and how has it benefited for research?
I had a great opportunity to collaborate closely with Biogaia. We planned the one subproject together and I performed the project experiments in their lab. I got so much help on different aspects of the project from Biogaia. It is an excellent experience working closely with the industry. We have also worked together on a patent application for my research output. 

What do you intend to do next? 
I am planning to work in the industry, where I can continue to work with R&D, especially in formulation development.

Read the publication: 364799_1_OMSL_Lingping Z.indd