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Imagine a world where antibodies, proteins such as insulin, and even COVID-19 and flu vaccines could be consumed orally instead of injected. This vision is closer than ever. The fundamental idea is to make medications and vaccines more accessible by allowing people to take them in liquid form rather than by injection.
The inspiration for this research came from home—literally. Dr. Asaf Singer, a researcher at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, observed his wife, Noa, breastfeeding their two daughters. He wondered how breast milk could naturally deliver so many essential substances to infants.
The deeper he delved into the topic, the more he realized that breast milk is far more than just nutrition—it is a sophisticated biological transport system capable of something that medicine has long struggled with: delivering sensitive compounds directly into the bloodstream via the digestive system. This is exactly what his research team aims to replicate.
Their study was recently published in the Journal of Controlled Release under the title: "Harnessing the Potential of Human Breast Milk to Enhance Intestinal Permeability for Nanoparticles and Macromolecules." Conducted in collaboration with two Technion faculties, the research highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation.
The Secret of Breast Milk
Breast milk is a remarkable fluid containing a wide range of essential components. To affect an infant’s health, these substances must pass from the digestive system into the bloodstream. This requires crossing biological barriers, including the intestinal barrier—a large membrane separating the inside of the gut from the circulatory system. The body typically distinguishes between beneficial and harmful substances, which is why some oral medications fail to reach their intended targets. However, breast milk contains special proteins that "convince" the body to let them pass.
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Doctoral student Si Naftaly, who co-led the study with Singer, posed a crucial question: If substances in breast milk can cross this barrier, then the milk must contain "keys" that enable them to do so. What are these keys? To investigate, the researchers compared human breast milk, cow's milk, and infant formula. Breast milk demonstrated the highest permeability through the intestinal barrier.
To conduct the research, a significant supply of breast milk was needed. Due to the October 7 attack and its aftermath, breast milk donations in Israel were directed toward orphans. As a result, the research team turned to mothers at the Technion to collect donations for the study.
How Does It Work?
The study uncovered a key mechanism: a natural protein coating from breast milk, termed Human Breast Milk Protein Corona, which facilitates the passage of nanoparticles (ultra-small particles) through the intestinal wall. This discovery was confirmed in both human intestinal cells and pig intestines, which closely resemble human digestive physiology.
Breast milk serves as the primary, and sometimes only, source of nutrition for infants. It is a complex and dynamic liquid that adapts to a baby’s needs, supplying enzymes, growth factors, hormones, antibodies, nucleic acids, extracellular vesicles, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and cells. These components are crucial for the development of various bodily systems. Unlike infant formula, which is uniform in composition, breast milk varies based on numerous factors related to the mother. Awareness of its medical value has grown in recent years, and it is now recognized as a natural remedy for various diseases, particularly those affecting the intestines.
The study provides a solution for delivering nanoparticles and molecules from the digestive system to the bloodstream. Based on these findings, the next step is an engineering and applied research phase—developing nanoparticles that mimic this mechanism, ensuring their successful passage through the intestinal barrier. These nanoparticles could carry various medical payloads, including RNA vaccines, proteins, and contrast agents for imaging. Their protective properties help shield medical compounds from the harsh conditions of the digestive system, making them a promising drug delivery method.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Vaccines?
By combining two natural elements—nanoparticles and breast milk proteins—the researchers believe they can develop tiny "taxis" to transport drugs, vaccines, and other vital compounds into the bloodstream. This concept could revolutionize medicine by replacing injections with orally administered treatments. Such a breakthrough could help prevent and treat conditions such as inflammation, diabetes, infections, cancer, and malnutrition, significantly improving patient care, particularly for those with chronic or acute illnesses.
The study was led by Dr. Asaf Singer and doctoral student Si Naftaly, along with Prof. Maya Davidovich-Pinhas from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion, and four additional students from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering.
Dr. Asaf SingerPhoto: Sharon GabiIt was supported by the Israel Science Foundation, the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the Stuart & Linda Resnick Sustainability and Catalysis Institute at the Technion, the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, the Bruce & Ruth Rappaport Cancer Research Institute, the Alon Fellowship, the Noam Seiden Fellowship in Nanotechnology and Optoelectronics, and the European Research Council’s "Milkosomes" grant.
Dr. Asaf Singer is a faculty member at the Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering at the Technion, a member of the Global Young Academy, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. A reserve major in the IDF, he served over 110 days during the ongoing war, for which he received a military excellence award.
Si Naftaly is a doctoral student at the Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering at the Technion.