Bifidobacterium longum

Abstract

The multiple embodiments described herein comprise the genome of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum bifidobacteria strain and genes encoded by the genome. Various novel Bifidobacterium longum are described.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and a viable isolated and purified  Bifidobacterium longum  strain in the form of a powder, wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the strain per gram of the formulation,
 wherein the strain:
 expresses an exopolysaccharide; and 
 comprises nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 96 and SEQ ID NO. 97; and 
   wherein the strain is not  Bifidobacterium longum  35624 deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003,  Bifidobacterium longum  AH121A deposited under accession number NCIMB 41675, or  Bifidobacterium longum  BL1207 deposited under accession number ATCC PTA-9608.   
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the strain induces a ratio of interleukin-10 to interleukin-12 of at least 10 in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell co-incubation assay. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the strain comprises SEQ ID No. 131 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto, and SEQ ID No. 132 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a tablet. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a food product or a beverage. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the food product comprises acidified milk, yoghurt, frozen yoghurt, milk powder, milk concentrate, a cheese spread, or a dressing. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the formulation comprises 1×10 7  cfu of the strain per gram of the formulation. 
     
     
         16 . A formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and a viable isolated and purified  Bifidobacterium longum  strain, wherein the formulation is in the form of a tablet,
 wherein the strain:
 expresses an exopolysaccharide; and 
 comprises at least two nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 96, SEQ ID NO. 97, SEQ ID No. 132, SEQ ID No. 131, and combinations thereof; and 
   wherein the strain is not  Bifidobacterium longum  35624 deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003,  Bifidobacterium longum  AH121A deposited under accession number NCIMB 41675, or  Bifidobacterium longum  BL1207 deposited under accession number ATCC PTA-9608.   
     
     
         17 . The formulation of  claim 16 , wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the strain per gram of the formulation. 
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 16 , wherein the strain comprises SEQ ID NO. 96, SEQ ID NO. 97, SEQ ID No. 132, and SEQ ID No. 131. 
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 16 , wherein the strain induces a ratio of interleukin-10 to interleukin-12 of at least 10 in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell co-incubation assay. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the formulation of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the formulation is immunomodulatory following oral consumption by the human. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the formulation is anti-inflammatory following oral consumption by the human. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and a viable isolated and purified  Bifidobacterium longum  strain, wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the strain per gram of the formulation, the formulation being in the form of a tablet, a capsule, or a powder,
 wherein the strain:
 expresses an exopolysaccharide; and 
 comprises nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 96 and SEQ ID NO. 97; and 
   wherein the strain is not  Bifidobacterium longum  35624 deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003,  Bifidobacterium longum  AH121A deposited under accession number NCIMB 41675, or  Bifidobacterium longum  BL1207 deposited under accession number ATCC PTA-9608.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the formulation is immunomodulatory following oral consumption by the human. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the formulation is anti-inflammatory following oral consumption by the human. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the strain per gram of the formulation.