How lab-made human gut bacterial communities persist, pass to offspring, and vary with host genes
Stability and vertical transmission of synthetic human gut microbiomes and effect of genetic background in mice
Researchers are using mice colonized with well-characterized lab-made human gut bacteria to learn how these communities stay stable over time, transmit to pups, and change with host genetic background.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11269204 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project puts two high-diversity synthetic human microbiomes (each made from over 100 known bacterial isolates) into germ-free mice to see how well the communities establish and remain stable. Investigators will track whether these communities are passed from mothers to offspring and how different mouse genetic backgrounds change community composition. The aim is to compare these reproducible synthetic microbiomes to variable human fecal transfers and supplier-derived mouse microbiomes. Findings will focus on long-term stability, transmission patterns, and host factors that shape the gut community.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with gut-related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, or metabolic disorders are the kinds of patients who could ultimately benefit and be candidates for related human trials.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the gut microbiome or those whose illnesses are driven purely by genetics rather than microbial factors are less likely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make microbiome-based research and future therapies safer and more predictable by providing well-characterized bacterial communities that better model human gut ecosystems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior fecal microbiota transfers and smaller defined microbial communities have shown effects on host biology, but using very high-diversity synthetic human microbiomes is a newer approach with promising reproducibility but still limited clinical translation so far.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ericsson, Aaron — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Ericsson, Aaron
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.