Effects of antibiotics on gut bacteria and immune response
Microbial, immune, metabolic perturbations by antibiotics (MIME study)
This study is looking at how two common antibiotics, amoxicillin and azithromycin, change the bacteria in your gut and affect your immune system, and it’s for healthy volunteers who want to help us learn more about the long-term effects of these medications on our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11043431 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how commonly prescribed antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin and azithromycin, affect the human microbiome and immune system. Healthy volunteers will participate in a clinical trial where they will receive these antibiotics for a short period, followed by a detailed evaluation of their gut bacteria and immune responses over several weeks. The study aims to understand the long-term impacts of antibiotics on health, particularly how they alter microbial populations and metabolic functions in the body.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are healthy adults aged 21 and older who are prescribed antibiotics for common infections.
Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing conditions affecting their immune system or microbiome may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of antibiotic use, potentially improving patient outcomes by minimizing adverse effects on gut health and immunity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that antibiotics can significantly alter the microbiome, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blaser, Martin J — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Blaser, Martin J
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.