Get ready for Probiota Americas 2025 —a three-day journey of innovation, inspiration, and deep insights! This year’s event promises dynamic discussions, cutting-edge research, and thought-provoking sessions that will shape the future of probiotics, prebiotics, and the microbiome.
Here’s a sneak peek at the key themes that will take center stage in 2025:

• COLONIZATION AND MICROBIOME ECOLOGY

  Our ability to effectively modulate the microbiome of an individual is influenced in large part by the host’s gut ecosystem. Approaches can include attempts to modify the entire community using a fecal microbiota transplantation, or a portion of it via probiotics (consortia or individual strains), prebiotics, postbiotics, phages, or combinations of these. This session will explore how advances in bioinformatic approaches can improve efficacy of microbiome modulation by better understanding host ecology and exploiting open niches, and how supplements and foods can be better designed to feed not only the host but also the microbiome.

  




• ENGINEERING MICROORGANISMS (CRISPR & GENETIC ENGINEERING)

  Advances in genetic engineering and gene editing are opening up a brave new world for microbiome modulation, with both techniques offering the opportunity for targeted, personalized, and highly effective interventions, but such technology can be polarizing to consumers: Some see it as exciting and progressive, others as scary and unpredictable. This session will explore the state-of-the-art science for both techniques, learning from proponents and researchers, while also discussing how best to communicate the technology to consumers.

  




• IDENTIFICATION AND ENUMERATION

  Colony Forming Units (CFUs) have dominated probiotic enumeration over the years, both on labels and in the scientific literature, but many stakeholders are exploring techniques that are faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective to traditional plate counts. These included flow cytometry, different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, and mass spectrometry. This session will explore the recent advances and the implications for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), translational science, and more.

  




• MATERNAL & INFANT HEALTH

  The maternal and infant nutrition space is providing a wealth of new and inspiring scientific studies, with fascinating insights into how a baby’s first 1,000 days is a period of major developmental changes in body organs, and the gastrointestinal tract and immune system in particular. But where is the emerging science pointing us for microbiome modulation for mother and baby? How can these be translated into health recommendations and commercial opportunity? This session will explore the latest science and innovation during this critical stage of life.

  




• MEN’S HEALTH

  Men are at a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease and heart disease, and of course prostate health is unique to men. All three have a potential links to microbiome dysfunction. There’s also the association between the gut microbiome and male sex hormones and spermatogenesis, which has obvious implications for fertility. This session will explore the latest science and translations to market success in the men’s health space.

  




• PHAGES AND THE VIROME

  The biodiversity of the human gut is significant, including bacteria and fungi, but the gut also contains hundreds of thousands of viruses called bacteriophages, which can modulate the gut microbiota by targeting undesirable bacteria. Recent studies have also revealed correlations between specific phages and health endpoints like cognitive function and memory in humans. Phage-based ingredients are still in their infancy but could become a powerful weapon in the arsenal for microbiome modulation for health and wellness.

  




• PREBIOTICS

  From classics like inulin and FOS to innovations with resistant starch and polyphenols, there’s a lot happening in the prebiotics space. And with the global prebiotics market expected to be worth US$ 21.2 billion by 2030, the sky’s the limit for the category. Innovation is creating opportunities to promote the growth of a diverse range of microorganisms – it’s not just about boosting Bifidobacteria anymore – but there are still several big knowledge gaps, particularly around mechanisms of action, and how prebiotic structure affects function. This session will explore the exciting horizons for prebiotics.

  




• STATE OF THE MARKET (INCL. RETAILER INSIGHTS)

  Despite a post-pandemic readjustment in the US dietary supplements market, unit and dollar sales in many key categories are still well above pre-COVID levels, and microbiome modulators – probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics – are still riding on high consumer interest and increased understanding of how our guts are central to so many aspects of overall health. This session will dig into the market data and the key category trends. Discover how social media channels like TikTok are impacting the landscape and provide key insights from high-growth brands.

  




• WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

  The US weight management category has been turned on its head with the regulatory approval of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. The nutrition industry has pivoted to explore supporting the side effects of GLP-1 medication or searching for ‘natural alternatives’ that may also stimulate GLP-1 secretion. The link between the gut microbiota, metabolism and obesity offers an intriguing opportunity for brands, and some have already jumped into that space, with market data showing that products formulated with Akkermansia are already making GLP-1 claims. This session will explore the science for prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, the mechanisms of action, the knowledge gaps, and how brands are successfully navigating this space.