Abstract: Provided herein are a vector, a genetically modified bacterium including the vector, methods of making the bacterium, methods of using the bacterium, and kits including the bacterium. The vector includes a coding region encoding at least one antimicrobial peptide, and the antimicrobial peptide includes at least one lysin.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to engineered antimicrobial probiotics for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract pathogens. In an embodiment, a composition for treatment of an animal is included. The composition can include a first genetically engineered bacterium comprising a first exogenous polynucleotide. The first exogenous polynucleotide can include a first heterologous promoter and a first polynucleotide that encodes a first antimicrobial protein. The composition can also include a second genetically engineered bacterium comprising a second exogenous polynucleotide. The second exogenous polynucleotide can include a second heterologous promoter and a second polynucleotide that encodes a second antimicrobial protein.

Abstract: This invention relates, at least in part, to engineered antimicrobial probiotics for the prevention or treatment of Clostridia perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in animals and related methods. In an embodiment, a composition for treatment of chickens is included. The composition can include a bacterium originally isolated from the small intestinal tract of healthy chickens and can be genetically engineered with two exogenous polynucleotides. A first exogenous polynucleotide can include a heterologous promoter and a polynucleotide that encodes an antimicrobial protein. A second exogenous polynucleotide can include a heterologous promoter and a polynucleotide that encodes proteins that function to secrete the antimicrobial protein to the extracellular environment. In an embodiment, the antimicrobial peptide can be effective in killing C. perf. inside the gastrointestinal tract of chickens.

Abstract: Provided herein are a vector, a genetically modified bacterium including the vector, methods of making the bacterium, methods of using the bacterium, and kits including the bacterium. The vector includes a coding region encoding at least one antimicrobial peptide, and the antimicrobial peptide includes at least one lysin.

Abstract: Provided herein are a vector, a genetically modified bacterium including the vector, methods of making the bacterium, methods of using the bacterium, and kits including the bacterium. The vector includes a coding region encoding at least one antimicrobial peptide, and the antimicrobial peptide includes at least one lysin.

Abstract: Provided herein are vectors having a polynucleotide encoding a polycistronic mRNA operably linked to a heterologous promoter, where the polycistronic mRNA includes at least two coding regions encoding a first and a second antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, the heterologous promoter is controlled by a modulatory protein, such as a GadR, PROTEON, or PROTEOFF modulatory protein. Also provided is a genetically modified microbe that includes a vector described herein, and methods of using the genetically modified microbe. The methods include increasing activity of antimicrobial peptides against a microbial pathogen, reducing development of resistance of a microbial pathogen, and treating a subject having a pathogenic microbe.