How a mother's microbes shape her baby's immune system
Microbial-induced maternal factors that influence fetal immune development
This research looks at how a mother's microbes change tiny particles and immune cells she passes to her baby before birth, shaping the baby’s immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169041 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying two ways mothers send immune signals to their fetuses: extracellular vesicles (small particles carrying proteins and microRNAs) and maternal immune cells that enter fetal tissues. They will use mouse models raised in very clean conditions and mice with more natural microbial exposure to see how microbial experience alters these maternal signals. The team will track how these changes affect fetal immune development using laboratory assays and tissue analysis. The goal is to make lab models better reflect natural pregnancies and to inform future studies relevant to human maternal and newborn health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Any human-facing parts would most likely invite pregnant adults willing to provide brief medical information and biological samples around the time of delivery.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or those needing immediate clinical treatments during pregnancy are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of how maternal microbes affect fetal and newborn immunity and eventually guide ways to reduce pregnancy complications or newborn infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies support roles for extracellular vesicles and maternal microchimerism in shaping fetal immunity, but linking those effects to diverse maternal microbial exposures is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schuldt, Nathan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Schuldt, Nathan
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.