Gut bacteria and diet to protect the intestines from severe radiation
Development of targeted microbiome therapeutics and dietary interventions for potent intestinal barrier promotion to minimize GI-ARS
This project uses specific gut bacteria and tailored dietary changes to strengthen the intestinal lining for people exposed to high‑dose radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241097 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will create live biotherapeutic products—specific bacteria or engineered probiotics—that produce compounds to boost the gut’s protective barrier and increase a surface protein called P‑glycoprotein. They will combine these bacterial treatments with precise dietary interventions to amplify those effects. The researchers will analyze clinical metagenomic samples to map where the protective receptor system appears in people and develop and test a genetically engineered bacterial strain. Work will include lab and preclinical testing and analysis of human samples to measure how well the interventions reduce intestinal barrier damage after total body irradiation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people exposed to or at high risk for total‑body or high‑dose radiation and those willing to provide stool or other clinical samples for analysis.
Not a fit: People not exposed to significant radiation, or those who cannot receive live bacterial therapies (for example, some severely immunocompromised patients), are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lessen intestinal wall damage, reduce infection risk, and improve recovery after severe radiation exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal studies and early human work suggest certain gut bacteria or probiotics can help gut barrier function, but using engineered live biotherapeutics for radiation protection is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bucci, Vanni — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Bucci, Vanni
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.