Bile-salt helpers: how gut enzymes may limit C. difficile infection
Official title: Bile salt hydrolases as regulators of C. difficile colonization and inflammation in the gut
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11430416 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-research team is studying gut bacteria enzymes that attach amino acids to bile acids to see if they can reduce C. difficile growth and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,351 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148700-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430416 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for C. difficile infection or those with a history of CDI who may benefit from microbiome-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without antibiotic exposure history or CDI risk factors may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how gut bacteria create special bile acids via bile salt hydrolases and how those molecules affect C. difficile in the gut. It builds on lab findings that these enzymes can lessen spore germination and growth, with experiments in test tubes, gut tissue, and animals. The goal is to understand whether boosting or modulating these enzymes could prevent or lessen C. difficile infections after antibiotic use. If successful, this work could guide new microbiome-based approaches to protect patients’ gut health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new strategies that reduce C. difficile infection risk and severity by shaping gut bile acids through specific enzymes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work showed BSH activity can reduce C. difficile germination and growth, supporting continued exploration in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theriot, Casey Michelle — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Theriot, Casey Michelle
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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.