How gut microbes affect heart and metabolic health
Official title: Cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, microbes and metabolites in FHS
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11013983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the tiny microbes in our gut might affect our risk of heart and metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity, and it’s for people who want to help us understand how these microbes influence our health by sharing some health information and stool samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $907,766 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157717-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with or at risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of gut microbes in the development of cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis. By analyzing data from the Framingham Heart Study, the researchers aim to identify specific microbial genes that influence cholesterol metabolism and, consequently, disease risk. The study will involve collecting clinical data and stool samples to understand how these microbes interact with the host and affect health outcomes. Patients may be asked to provide samples and health information to help uncover these important relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating cardiometabolic diseases by targeting gut microbiota.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between gut microbiota and metabolic health, indicating that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xavier, Ramnik J — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Xavier, Ramnik J
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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.