Gut microbiome and intestinal development after fetal growth restriction
Official title: Interactions between the Gut Microbiome, Intestinal Development and Metabolic Health after Fetal Growth Restriction
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11400303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying how gut microbes and intestinal growth interact after fetal growth restriction to influence obesity and type 2 diabetes risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $129,510 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK139411-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400303 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of fetal growth restriction or metabolic risk factors who may participate in future translational studies or provide samples for related research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of fetal growth restriction may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
In this work, researchers will use a mouse model of fetal growth restriction to explore how the intestine and gut bacteria develop together after birth. They will examine specific intestinal cells and use advanced techniques like organoid culture and single-cell RNA sequencing to understand differences between normal and FGR animals. They will also test whether fecal microbiome from healthy controls can be transplanted into FGR mice to see if the microbiome establishment is impaired or fixed by a postnatal diet. The goal is to learn if targeted nutrition after birth could mitigate later metabolic problems tied to FGR.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide new dietary strategies to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes risk in people who were affected by fetal growth restriction.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in this field suggest that early gut microbiome and intestinal development influence metabolic outcomes, but translation to interventions remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilley, Stephanie Pritchard — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Gilley, Stephanie Pritchard
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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.