Integrated in vitro and in silico modelling delineates the molecular effects of a synbiotic regimen on colorectal-cancer derived cells.

By modulating the human gut microbiome, prebiotics and probiotics (combinations of which are called synbiotics) may be used to treat diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Methodological limitations have prevented determining the potential combinatorial mechanisms of action of such regimens. We expanded our HuMiX gut-on-a-chip model to co-culture CRC-derived epithelial cells with a model probiotic under a simulated prebiotic regimen, and integrated the multi-omic results with in silico metabolic modelling. In contrast to individual prebiotic or probiotic treatments, the synbiotic regimen caused downregulation of genes involved in procarcinogenic pathways and drug resistance, and reduced levels of the oncometabolite lactate. Our integrated approach demonstrates the potential of modelling for rationally formulating synbiotics-based treatments in the future.