How Environments Shape the Workings of Germ Communities
Environmental modulation of metabolic function in microbial communities
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11090543
This project helps us understand how the environment changes the way tiny communities of germs, like those in our bodies, work together to impact our health.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11090543 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover the fundamental rules that govern how communities of tiny living things, like bacteria, function based on their genetic makeup and the environment they live in. We know that the way these microbial communities work together plays a big role in our personal health and even global environmental processes. By understanding these rules, we hope to learn how to guide or design these communities to promote better health outcomes for people. Researchers are developing new methods to predict how these communities will behave by looking at their genes and how they respond to different conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future applications could benefit individuals with conditions influenced by microbial metabolism.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to manipulate microbial communities to improve human health and environmental well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work has established a new quantitative framework for predicting microbial community metabolism, showing promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KUEHN, SEPPE — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: KUEHN, SEPPE
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.