mRNA vaccine design strategies
Independent research into mRNA vaccine design strategies, conducted through UCT MentHer.
Biotechnology @ University of Melbourne · Raised across four countries, building in Melbourne
Nikol Dashanova
A science-and-commerce mind, raised across four countries, now building in biotech.
The first probiotic designed to clear microplastics from the human gut.
ScrollAbout
Science that reaches people.
- RU
- IE
- ME
- ZA
- AU
Moving between countries and cultures growing up taught me to adapt fast and to read a problem from more than one side.
I care about helping people live healthier, longer lives. That is what drew me to the science in the first place.
But research only helps someone once it becomes something they can actually use.
I'm an undergraduate building what I believe is the first probiotic designed to clear microplastics from the human gut.
Most students study biotech. I'm trying to ship it.
I study Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne, focused on microbiology, molecular science, and the commercialisation of life science research.
The venture started from a 2026 study by the World Institute of Kimchi identifying Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, a strain that binds nanoplastics in the gut. Turning that paper toward a product has meant real work, not a pitch deck.
Outside the venture, I read widely across the microbiome, longevity, and women's health, the areas I find most interesting right now.
The venture
A probiotic that clears microplastics.
The first consumer product designed to clear microplastics from the human gut. A category of one.
01 The problem
Microplastics now appear in human blood, placenta and brain tissue, and daily intake keeps rising. No consumer product targets their clearance from the gut. That's the gap this venture is built on.
02 The strain
Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656 - isolated from kimchi and identified in a 2026 study by the World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim), South Korea. GRAS and QPS recognized. The first bacterium found to bind microplastics at this level under conditions that mimic the human gut.
87%
Nanoplastic adsorption - in vitro, polystyrene nanoplastics
57%
Binding retained under simulated intestinal conditions - vs. 3% for the reference strain
2×+
Faecal nanoplastic excretion - preclinical, germ-free mouse model (in vivo)
03 What I've done
Science
Reviewed the WiKim binding mechanism and literature, and assessed a paraprobiotic (freeze-dried, wall-intact) product architecture.
IP
Mapped the patent landscape across USPTO, WIPO, KIPRIS and Espacenet, and the licensing path with the strain holder.
Regulatory
Compared FDA (DSHEA) against TGA. FDA is the primary pathway - no pre-market approval, first sale in 4-8 weeks.
Commercial
Built the unit economics, subscription pricing, and a DTC distribution model - where the real cost risk sits in regulatory, licensing and CAC, not manufacturing.
Currently working on licensing the strain, and testing paraprobiotic feasibility.
Independent research
Independent projects.
Two research threads run alongside coursework - in mRNA design and genomic data.
Genomic variant classification
An independent research project applying machine learning methods to the classification of genomic variants.
Experience
Two roles, while building.
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Sep 2025 - Present
Patient Services Coordinator
Front desk operations at a private specialist medical practice: 40+ daily patient interactions, referral coordination, and Medicare / private health fund billing.
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Jan 2024 - Feb 2025
Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Accounting and administrative operations for a wellness practice in Cape Town, during my final year of the IB - scheduling, records, and payment reconciliation.
Education & credentials
Bachelor of Biomedicine (Biotechnology Major)
International Baccalaureate
Languages
Biotechnology
Scientific Research
Regulatory Affairs
Business Development
Life Sciences
IP & Patent Research
Scientific Literature Review
Microbiology
Commercialisation
Clinical Administration
Medical Terminology
Medicare Billing
Contact
If you're building in biotech.
On the science side or the commercial side - I'd like to know you.