How gut bacteria help remove arsenic from the body
Official title: Mechanisms of arsenic detoxification by the human microbiome
Funded at Montana State University - Bozeman · NIH-11289433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether gut microbes and common antibiotics change how the body handles arsenic after people ingest it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Montana State University - Bozeman NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bozeman, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $363,449 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA215784-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have been exposed to arsenic in drinking water or who have signs of arsenic poisoning would be the most likely candidates for related future trials or sample donation.
✕Less likely to help
People without arsenic exposure or whose health issues are unrelated to arsenic would not be expected to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Scientists are studying how the human gut microbiome affects arsenic breakdown by testing engineered bacteria that modify reduction, methylation, and thiolation pathways in germ-free (gnotobiotic) mice to mimic human gut processes. They will measure how these microbial changes influence arsenic conversion and toxicity. The team will also test how commonly prescribed antibiotics alter the microbiome and whether that makes arsenic poisoning worse or leads to sepsis-like illness. Overall, the project aims to identify microbial actions that protect against arsenic harms and whether microbiome manipulation could reduce toxicity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to microbiome-based therapies or antibiotic-use guidance that lower arsenic toxicity and reduce risk of arsenic-related disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies, including work from this group, showed the gut microbiome affects arsenic toxicity, but microbiome-based treatments for people remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Montana State University - Bozeman
Bozeman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walk, Seth T — Montana State University - Bozeman
- Study coordinator: Walk, Seth T
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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.