Engineering gut bacteria to reshape the gut microbiome
Microbial Engineering to Control the Structure and Function of the Gut Microbiome.
This project develops ways to change gut bacteria so the microbiome behaves differently, with the goal of enabling new treatments for people with gut-related health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137804 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will build simplified, defined communities of gut microbes in the lab that reflect the diversity and functions of natural microbiomes. They will use new experimental tools and computer models to see how microbes interact and how those interactions drive metabolic and ecological outcomes. The team will identify molecular mechanisms that control community behavior and test whether targeted changes produce predictable shifts in function. Although primarily laboratory-based, the work is intended to guide future therapies that change the gut microbiome safely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with gut conditions connected to microbiome imbalances—such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or certain metabolic disorders—would be the most likely eventual candidates.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate symptom relief or whose health problems are unrelated to the gut microbiome are unlikely to receive direct benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to precise microbiome-based therapies that restore healthy gut function in people with microbiome-driven diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Approaches like fecal microbiota transplantation and some engineered probiotics have shown promise, but deliberately engineering complex gut communities remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mimee, Mark — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mimee, Mark
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.