Creating affordable human milk oligosaccharides for infant formula
Official title: Economical Modular One-Pot Multienzyme Synthesis of Human Milk Oligosaccharides
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-10834878 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, affordable way to create important nutrients called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that can be added to baby formula to help keep infants healthy by preventing infections and supporting their gut health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $188,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD110982-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10834878 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants who require nutritional supplementation, particularly those at risk for infections or allergies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infants or do not require supplementation of human milk oligosaccharides may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a cost-effective method to synthesize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are vital for infant nutrition. The approach involves a modular one-pot multienzyme system that streamlines the synthesis process, making it more scalable and efficient. By optimizing the reaction conditions and using inexpensive energy sources, the goal is to produce HMOs that can be added to infant formula to help prevent infections, support gut health, and reduce allergies in infants. This research aims to make these essential nutrients more accessible for use in baby formulas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more affordable and effective infant formulas that improve health outcomes for newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using multienzyme systems for glycan synthesis, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moremen, Kelley W. — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Moremen, Kelley W.
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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.