How Bifidobacterium infantis uses urea from human milk to support infant gut health
Human milk urea nitrogen is recycled by Bifidobacterium infantis to impact the emergent physiology of the infant gut microbiome
This study is looking at how a helpful gut bacterium called Bifidobacterium infantis uses a part of human milk to help babies' tummies grow healthy and strong, and it's for parents who want to learn more about how their baby's gut health develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093948 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how Bifidobacterium infantis, a beneficial gut bacterium, utilizes urea nitrogen found in human milk to support the development of the infant gut microbiome. The study aims to understand the interactions between this bacterium and the infant's digestive system, focusing on how urea is transformed into usable nutrients. By using in vitro models, researchers will explore the metabolic processes involved and how they affect the overall health and function of the gut microbiome during early life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants who are breastfed and may benefit from enhanced gut microbiome development.
Not a fit: Patients who are not infants or those who are not breastfed may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of infant gut health and lead to improved nutritional strategies for infants.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut microbiota in health, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sela, David a. — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Sela, David a.
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.