Gut microbiome targets to ease sickle cell pain in patients
Official title: Gut Microbiome Targets for Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11448997 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how gut microbes affect chronic pain in people with sickle cell disease and how penicillin prophylaxis in babies might change pain pathways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $641,538 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181083-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448997 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with sickle cell disease experiencing chronic pain or at risk of pain complications, and families considering penicillin prophylaxis in infancy, under appropriate medical supervision.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sickle cell disease or without chronic pain are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the bacteria in the gut influence chronic pain in sickle cell disease using a mouse model to guide human therapies. It will examine how standard penicillin prophylaxis given to infants with sickle cell may alter gut microbes and contribute to pain development. The team will explore whether specific microbial changes can worsen or lessen chronic pain, aiming to identify possible microbiome-based interventions. Findings could lay groundwork for new, non-opioid approaches to long-term pain management in people with sickle cell disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to microbiome-informed strategies to reduce chronic pain in sickle cell disease and lessen reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in mouse models showed the gut microbiome can influence pain; translating these findings to humans remains the next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadler, Katelyn — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Sadler, Katelyn
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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.