Bacterial enzymes that calm gut inflammation and pain
Official title: Identification of bacterial derived proteases that inhibit inflammation and pain signaling in the gut
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11341937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists at Stanford are studying helpful enzymes made by gut bacteria that may ease inflammation and pain in inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,802,100 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK147117-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11341937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who have active symptoms and are willing to participate in related biological studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without IBD or those not involved in downstream studies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers will explore how bacterial proteases in the gut interact with human gut biology to influence inflammation and pain signaling. They will study how these enzymes affect protease-activated receptors and gut barrier function, using cell lines and relevant models. The goal is to identify bacterial proteases that could naturally modulate harmful inflammation and pain in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The work will combine molecular biology, gut-mimicking systems, and analysis of how these enzymes shape the gut environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new probiotic or enzymatic approaches to reduce GI inflammation and pain for people with IBD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that bacterial enzymes can influence gut signaling, but this project extends to identifying specific proteases that modulate inflammation and pain.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bogyo, Matthew — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Bogyo, Matthew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.