A platform to test drugs for a serious intestinal disease in premature infants

Neonatal gut-on-a-chip platform for high content drug testing and precision medicine

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10889136

This study is creating a special model that mimics the intestines of premature babies with a serious condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) to help researchers understand the disease better and find new treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10889136 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a unique intestine-on-a-chip model designed to mimic the intestinal environment of premature infants suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). By using a combination of intestinal organoids, human endothelial cells, and patient-derived microbiota, the study aims to recreate the disease's critical features in a controlled laboratory setting. The goal is to gain insights into the disease's mechanisms and evaluate potential therapeutic options through advanced multi-omic approaches. This innovative model allows researchers to better understand NEC and test the effectiveness of new drugs before they are used in clinical settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not premature or do not have a risk of necrotizing enterocolitis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for necrotizing enterocolitis, improving outcomes for premature infants.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise using similar organ-on-a-chip technologies, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.