Abstract: The present invention is directed to synbiotic compositions of probiotic strains and prebiotics, along with uses thereof for targeted human and animal applications, for example, in promoting health and well-being and/or treating therapeutic conditions. The present invention is also directed to methods of probiotic selection and detection of strains with the ability to produce neurochemicals in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, providing a microbial endocrinology-based mechanism and approach for optimization of synbiotic delivery of a probiotic with a neurochemical precursor. Still further the present invention is directed to industrial applications for production of dopamine utilizing methods and media suitable for the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synbiotic compositions of probiotic strains and prebiotics, along with uses thereof for targeted human and animal applications, for example, in promoting health and well-being and/or treating therapeutic conditions. The present invention is also directed to methods of probiotic selection and detection of strains with the ability to produce neurochemicals in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, providing a microbial endocrinology-based mechanism and approach for optimization of synbiotic delivery of a probiotic with a neurochemical precursor. Still further the present invention is directed to industrial applications for production of dopamine utilizing methods and media suitable for the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules from regions of Enterococcus spp. genomes which are associated with the production of dopamine The invention also relates to proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules as well as nucleic acid markers which are associated with high dopamine production. Moreover, the invention relates to uses of such molecules, including, but not limited to, transforming or transfecting cells or organisms with constructs containing the nucleic acid molecules to create cells or organisms with enhanced dopamine production. The present invention is also directed to kits for identifying bacteria which may be capable of producing dopamine based on the detection of the nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synbiotic compositions of probiotic strains and prebiotics, along with uses thereof for targeted human and animal applications, for example, in promoting health and well-being and/or treating therapeutic conditions. The present invention is also directed to methods of probiotic selection and detection of strains with the ability to produce neurochemicals in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, providing a microbial endocrinology-based mechanism and approach for optimization of synbiotic delivery of a probiotic with a neurochemical precursor. Still further the present invention is directed to industrial applications for production of dopamine utilizing methods and media suitable for the same.