Analyzing breath to understand gut bacteria
Breathprinting as a window into gut microbiome chemoecology
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut can impact our health by examining breath samples, especially in infants, to find out if certain smells in our breath can tell us about the health of our gut without any invasive tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10876495 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the composition of gut bacteria affects human health by analyzing breath samples. It aims to identify specific volatile compounds in breath that correlate with gut microbial communities, which can provide insights into various health conditions. By studying infants and their changing gut microbiomes, the research seeks to develop a non-invasive method for monitoring gut health through breath analysis. This approach could simplify the evaluation of gut microbiota in clinical settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants and individuals experiencing gut-related health issues.
Not a fit: Patients with stable gut microbiomes or those not experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, non-invasive diagnostic tools for assessing gut health and related diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using breath analysis to infer gut microbiome composition, indicating that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Odom John, Audrey Ragan — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Odom John, Audrey Ragan
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 below.