How early herbicide exposures may change gut bacteria and promote weight gain
Defining the impact of developmental herbicide exposures on gut microbiome physiology and interactions with health
This project looks at whether early-life exposure to common herbicides changes gut bacteria in ways that can lead to increased body fat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11240269 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will expose animals to low, environmentally relevant levels of three common herbicides—glyphosate, atrazine, and 2,4‑D—during early development to mimic human exposures. Using multi-omics methods, they will track how those exposures change the types and functions of gut microbes and measure body weight, fat, and metabolism in the hosts. Germ-free animals and microbiome transplants will be used to test whether the altered microbes themselves can cause increased fat gain, and lab cultures will pinpoint disrupted microbial pathways. Results aim to connect specific herbicide-driven changes in the gut microbiome to mechanisms that could raise obesity risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is laboratory and animal research and does not enroll patients, but people concerned about early-life herbicide exposure and weight gain may find the findings relevant.
Not a fit: Because this work is preclinical, it will not provide direct treatments or immediate benefits for people already living with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal how common herbicides change gut microbes to promote weight gain and point to ways to prevent or reverse those effects.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that microbiome disruption can influence weight in animals and humans, but directly linking common herbicide exposures to obesogenic microbiomes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaulke, Christopher a — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Gaulke, Christopher 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.