How gut bacteria affect drug responses and side effects
Official title: Pharmacomicrobiomics: The Frontier of Interindividual Variability in Drug Response
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11131133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut can change the way medications work, which might make them less effective or even harmful, and it aims to find ways to keep you safe and help your medicines work better for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $381,864 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155168-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are prescribed medications that may have variable responses or side effects due to gut microbiome interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not taking medications or those whose drug responses are not influenced by gut bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of intestinal bacteria in modifying medications, which can significantly influence how effective or toxic a drug is for different individuals. By understanding how these bacteria metabolize drugs, the research aims to identify potential toxicities and adverse effects that may arise during drug use. The approach involves studying specific bacterial enzymes that can reactivate drugs in the body, potentially leading to harmful effects. The goal is to develop strategies to prevent or treat these microbe-mediated drug toxicities, ultimately improving patient safety and drug efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer medications with fewer side effects for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of gut microbiota on drug metabolism, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhatt, Aadra Prashant — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Bhatt, Aadra Prashant
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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.