How breast milk's cells and nutrients support mothers and babies
Milk-Omics: Systems Biology of Human Milk and Its Links to Maternal and Infant Health
Researchers will use advanced genetic and chemical tests on breast milk and stool from mothers and their term infants to learn how milk composition varies and links to mother and baby health.
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-11162396 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will use existing samples from 400 mother–infant pairs and combine detailed health and behavioral information with genetic sequencing and chemical profiling of milk and infant stool. They will map which maternal cells, genes, metabolites, fats, and microbes are present in milk and how these relate to mothers' and babies' health. The project aims to define the normal range of milk variation so future efforts can tailor nutrition, including better fortifiers for preterm babies. Participation would center on providing milk and stool samples and sharing clinical and behavioral information.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are breastfeeding mothers of healthy term infants who can provide breast milk and stool samples and share medical and behavioral information.
Not a fit: People who are not breastfeeding or whose infants are exclusively formula-fed or have unrelated severe medical conditions may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to improved milk fortifiers for preterm infants and more personalized feeding recommendations for mothers and babies.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller studies have linked some milk components to infant outcomes and used genomics or metabolomics, but this integrated, large-scale systems approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demerath, Ellen W. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Demerath, Ellen W.
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.