Research at the University of Guelph has found that a molecule in probiotics can help fight dangerous bacteria like E. coli, C. difficile and Listeria.

Mansel Griffiths, a food science professor and director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety based at the University of Guelph, is working on the research.

It's a classic case of fighting fire with fire, or in this case, bad bacteria with good bacteria.

The molecule is found in certain probiotics, and it helps prevent bad bacteria that causes illness from attaching to the inside of the intestines, allowing it to be flushed out.

According to Griffiths, "probiotics produce molecules that interfere with the way that organisms attach to the gut."

They also interfere with the bacteria's ability to communicate and therefore produce the toxins that make people sick.

The molecule appears to have promising use, especially in dealing with food borne illnesses. Unlike others probiotics on the market, it doesn't need to be live in yogurt, it's easy to transport and you don't need to eat a huge amount.

Steve De Brabandere, associate director of the business development office at the University of Guelph says it could be "a pill or a capsule. You could incorporate it into a bread or a chocolate, or let your imagination run wild."

It could have a big impact if you consider that up to 13 million Canadians suffer from food borne illnesses each year.

So far they've had experimental success with E. coli in mice, as well as with C. difficile and Salmonella and are looking at Listeria.

"If we can develop this and even prevent 50 per cent of those infections then it has enormous benefit not only for public health but also for the economy of Canada," Griffiths says.

The research could have potential for dealing with outbreaks like the recent spate of C. difficile cases at Guelph General Hospital and other hospitals in Ontario.

It could also help reduce the antibiotics used in livestock.

The university is working with a research company to help sell the invention, which could have benefits internationally.

De Brabandere says "Getting things to the developing world to aid in infant mortality and so on would be a great potential opportunity as well."

Testing will continue on pigs and poultry in the fall, but the researchers say they already have proof the molecule can work as both a preventative measure and a cure for those already sick.