How gut microbes influence our genes and cell fate
Official title: Mechanisms of microbial metabolite signaling to chromatin in cell fate and gene regulation
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11424836 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led project at Case Western Reserve University studies how microbes living in our gut communicate with our own cells to change how our genes are read and how cells develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,017 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165496-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424836 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No human participants are described in the grant abstract itself; the work is foundational and uses cellular models to study mechanisms relevant to human biology.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are not guaranteed since the work is preclinical and mechanistic in nature.
What this research studies
This project explores how signals from gut microbes reach our cells and change chromatin, the structure that controls gene access. It focuses on specific microbial metabolites that create nontraditional chemical marks on histones, which influence gene programs related to cell differentiation and development. By using cellular models and studying microbiota-dependent histone modifications, the work aims to map how these signals steer cell fate and tissue function. The research builds on preliminary data showing distinct microbial products alter gene expression through unique chromatin marks, with potential relevance to health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new ways to promote healthy cell development and prevent diseases linked to microbiota-impaired gene regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked microbial metabolites to changes in gene expression, but the exact chromatin-based mechanisms are still being elucidated.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gates, Leah Ashley — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Gates, Leah Ashley
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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.