How gut swelling affects the immune system's response to bacteria
Official title: Mechanism of innate immune activation by intestinal distension
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10906765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how swelling in the intestines from bacteria affects the body's immune system, using tiny worms to learn how the nervous system helps manage these immune responses, which could help us understand how our gut works with our immune system to tell good bacteria from bad.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $408,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI156900-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906765 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to gut health or bacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gut-related immune disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the swelling of the intestine, caused by bacterial colonization, triggers the body's innate immune response. By using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the study aims to understand the mechanisms through which the nervous system detects changes in gut physiology and coordinates immune responses. The researchers will employ various molecular and genetic techniques to explore how specific genes and neurons influence immune reactions to bacterial infections. This work could provide insights into the gut's role in immune regulation and how the body distinguishes between harmful and beneficial microbes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing immune responses against bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that understanding the gut's role in immune responses can lead to significant advancements in treating infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aballay, Alejandro — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Aballay, Alejandro
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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.