How gut bacteria change bile acids
Official title: Activity-based protein profiling of gut microbiota-associated bile acid metabolism
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11372245 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using special chemical probes to find which gut bacterial enzymes change bile acids and how those changes matter for human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $420,158 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM133501-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372245 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People willing to provide gut-derived samples (for example, stool) or clinical information, including those with or without digestive disorders, could be relevant participants.
✕Less likely to help
Those seeking immediate clinical treatment or whose health issues are unrelated to gut microbiome or bile-acid biology are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This work uses chemistry tools called activity-based probes to tag and identify the bacterial enzymes in the gut that modify bile acids. Scientists will map which microbes make specific secondary bile acids and which bacterial proteins respond to those molecules. The team combines lab chemistry, microbiology, and analysis of gut-derived samples to link enzyme activity to effects on human biology. Results aim to connect microbial bile-acid activity to health and disease in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new targets to modify gut-derived bile acids and potentially prevent or treat diseases tied to bile-acid imbalance.
How similar studies have gone: Activity-based protein profiling has worked in other enzyme-focused settings, but applying these chemical probes specifically to gut bile-acid metabolism is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Pamela Vivian — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Chang, Pamela Vivian
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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.