How gut bacteria, nutrients, and bile acids protect against C. difficile
The interplay between nutrient availability and secondary bile acid metabolism in commensal Clostridia mediates colonization resistance against C. difficile
This work looks at how changes in nutrients and bile-acid processing by friendly gut bacteria affect protection against C. difficile for people at risk of infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314564 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're worried about C. difficile infection, this project studies how commensal Clostridia (helpful gut bacteria) use available nutrients and change bile acids to block C. difficile growth. The team uses lab-grown bacteria, animal models, bacterial genetics, protein work, and multiple 'omics' methods (microbiome, metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) to trace which bacterial activities and molecules matter. They alter nutrient conditions and measure how those changes shift bile acid production and colonization resistance in the gut. The goal is to pinpoint specific microbial processes or metabolites that could be targeted to restore protection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had recurrent C. difficile infections, are recovering from antibiotics, or are at high risk for CDI would be the most relevant to future patient-focused work.
Not a fit: People without C. difficile risk or unrelated gastrointestinal conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory and animal-focused research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new microbiome-based therapies, probiotic strains, or dietary approaches to prevent or reduce C. difficile infection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work linking bile acids and the microbiome to C. difficile resistance — including success with fecal microbiota transplant and bile-acid-focused interventions — supports this line of research, though the specific nutrient–Clostridia mechanisms remain novel.
Where this research is happening
Raleigh, United States
- North Carolina State University Raleigh — Raleigh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theriot, Casey Michelle — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Theriot, Casey Michelle
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.