Lumina is a lyophilized suspension of the genetically modified S. mutans strain BCS3-L1.
The probiotic is manufactured at our facility in Palo Alto, and each batch is tested for integrity. We voluntarily abide by Good Manufacturing Practices, the recommended system to ensure quality, safety, and consistency for food and cosmetics manufacturing.
The modified strain secretes a bacteriocin, mutacin 1140, which is disruptive to the metabolism of unmodified S mutans.
No. The strain doesn't contain the ldh metabolism which creates lactic acid.
Mutacin-1140 is a naturally occurring bacteriocin produced by certain strains of S. mutans which some people already have in their mouths.
Bacteriocins like mutacin-1140 are produced in very small quantities and have been evolutionarily selected for their nonharmfulness to human cells.
The extremely localized production of mutacin-1140 allows our S. mutans strain to compete with unmodified S mutans, without disrupting the healthy bacteria of the mouth or gut.
Lantibiotics (such as mutacin-1140) kill most Gram-positive bacteria. However, people with normal S. mutans strains—the majority of which already naturally produce some kind of bacteriocin—still have lantibiotic-susceptible bacteria in their mouths. This speaks to the extremely localized nature of mutacins’ efficacy.
If mutacin from the mouth was significantly disrupting the gut, we would already see people having gut issues from their normal, unmodified mouth bacteria.
We use industry-standard master cell bank / working cell bank aliquots to ensure that the live bacterial culture we provide is precisely as intended.
The transfer of mutacin-1140 producing genes to other S. mutans strains in the mouth is theoretically possible, but extremely unlikely. The mutacin-1140 genes are large, making them difficult to transfer. Additionally, potential recipient bacteria are more likely to be killed by the mutacin before they could acquire the genes. Gene transfer is a rare event, especially given our strain's deletion of the comE gene, which reduces horizontal gene transfer by approximately 100x.
It's a five minute procedure, slightly more complicated than brushing your teeth.
The most important step is the disruption of the existing S. mutans biofilm using a prophy brush and tooth polish. Afterwards, apply Lumina Probiotic as if it were a toothpaste, with a thorough brushing process. This should cause the live bacteria to adhere to the tooth surface.
The final step is to jump-start your new probiotic culture, for which we recommend eating candy.
We would still recommend brushing your teeth, both for periodontal concerns, and also for consideration towards anyone you might be kissing.
Lumina Probiotic is open for preorders at a price point of $250. The expected shipping date is, optimistically, June. There are no follow-up costs.
Join our mailing list!
Plausibly indefinitely.
The original scientists experimenting with mutacin strains applied a strain to their own teeth, and found that it remains on their teeth twenty years later.
We recommend that you keep doing whatever you were doing, so long as what you were doing was brushing and flossing.
Soon, you'll be able to get swab kits on our Product page!
These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
