Game theoretic consideration of transgenic bacteria in the human gut microbiota as a pro-biotic prophylactic for metabolic syndrome

Abstract

A game theoretic treatment is introduced to explore the role of nutrition of the gut bacterial microflora as a potential pro-biotic therapy. Rational design of functional foods and nutraceuticals has far reaching public health and therapeutic benefits. Understanding ecological dynamics and how phenotypic manipulations of microbe-microbe interactions of the gut microbiota can provide direct health benefit is currently a fundamental question in bioengineering and more widely in the food, diet and health industries. This work considers a hypothetical adjustment of the microbiome by introducing a transgenic bacterial species that contributes to increased exposure of omega 3 fats in the gut by converting them from the omega 6 fats, dominant in the Western diet. The ratio of the two fats circulating in blood are risk markers, indicators of metabolic syndrome and related conditions. In this work, we consider nutritional exposure to a pro-biotic, a live culture of transgenic bacteria contributing omega 3 fats from omega 6 in the diet. Maintaining a long-term co-existence between native (indigenous) and transgenic bacteria is a challenge. Game theory is the appropriate tool for handling this conflict. The long-term co-existence is guaranteed if the two strains engage in the Snowdrift game. Our game theoretic treatment provides the basis of a model mechanism for prophylactic nutritional therapy for metabolic syndrome by the transgenic bacteria, providing support of indigenous gut microbiota and additional supplementation of a pro-biotic.