How gut bacteria chemicals affect fungi in the intestines
Investigation of gut microbiota metabolite-mediated transkingdom interactions with fungi
This project looks at whether chemicals made by gut bacteria change how fungi like Candida behave in people's intestines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11256736 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists will use a library of human gut bacteria and new genetic tools, including CRISPR, to change bacterial genes and drive production of different metabolites. They will create and screen collections of bacterial chemicals to find ones that directly affect intestinal fungi such as Candida albicans. Most experiments will be done in the lab using human-derived microbes and controlled models to measure fungal growth, interactions with bacteria, and effects on host immune signals. The work aims to map chemical signals between bacteria and fungi so future treatments can target these interactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent gut Candida overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease, or other gut microbiome-related symptoms may be the most directly interested in these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the gut microbiome, such as non-gastrointestinal genetic disorders or isolated skin fungal infections, are unlikely to see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat harmful fungal overgrowth or gut inflammation by targeting bacterial metabolites.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies suggest some bacterial metabolites can change fungal behavior, but large-scale genetic and chemical screening of human gut bacteria and their effects on fungi is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iliev, Iliyan Dimitrov — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Iliev, Iliyan Dimitrov
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.