Lay summary
The aim of the project is to identify natural antiviral compounds against human viruses by activating the bacterial immune system. The antiviral compounds and metabolites produced through this strategy may well have more consumer acceptance, considering probiotic bacteria will be used to produce the antiviral compounds and probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are used widely in fermented foods throughout the world and considered healthy to humans. The research strategy involves a completely non-genetically-modified-organism approach. If successful, this research has potential to develop drugs or even dietary compounds with antiviral activity against human viral pathogens. This research would be a good example of a multidisciplinary approach to solve the most difficult of health problems.The success of this project will have significant health and economic benefit to New Zealand. The need for new antiviral drugs to fight against current and new human viral pathogens is evident with the current COVID pandemic.