Herein we review the most recent advances in probiotic research and applications with particular emphasis on the novel concept of patho-biotechnology: the application of pathogen-derived (ex vivo and in vivo) stress survival strategies for the design of more technologically robust and effective probiotic cultures with improved biotechnological and clinical applications.

In the past few decades there has been a hiatus in the momentum of research and discovery of ‘novel’ medicinal compounds. This particular trend in drug development perhaps is augmented due to two vital factors, namely : first, strict empirical and rational approach to drug design ; and secondly, high standards of safety and therapeutic efficacy together with tremendous increased costs of resear...