How early-life microbes affect childhood asthma
Microbiome Influences on Asthma-Related Outcomes in Early Life
This project looks at whether the microbes living in babies’ noses and guts change the chance and severity of asthma in young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363731 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would be followed during early life and researchers would collect samples such as stool and nasal swabs along with health information. The team would compare microbial patterns with wheezing, allergy test results, lung function, and asthma diagnoses as children grow. Laboratory tests on those samples may be used to understand how microbes influence immune responses linked to asthma. Some parts of the program may use lab models to test biological mechanisms suggested by the human data.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be infants or young children, particularly those with a family history of asthma or early breathing problems.
Not a fit: Adults with long-standing asthma or people without early-life respiratory concerns are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce childhood asthma by altering microbes or timing of exposures early in life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked early-life microbial patterns to later asthma risk, but converting those findings into proven prevention or treatments is still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Fernando D — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Fernando D
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.