How minerals affect nutrition and development in mothers and infants
Official title: Minerals in Nutrition and Development
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10900804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how important minerals in food help babies grow healthy during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it’s for moms who want to understand how their bodies provide these nutrients to their little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $972,718 |
| NIH project number | 5UC2HD113036-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as well as their infants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, or those outside the age range of 0-11 years, may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the critical role of dietary minerals in the health and development of infants, focusing on how these nutrients are absorbed and secreted by mothers during pregnancy and lactation. The study aims to identify the transport proteins involved in this process and to understand the adaptations that occur in the maternal body to support the nutritional needs of the developing infant. By utilizing advanced 3D modeling techniques and in vitro models derived from human cells, the research seeks to bridge existing gaps in knowledge regarding mineral transport and its implications for maternal and child health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional guidelines and interventions for mothers and infants, enhancing health outcomes during critical developmental periods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of minerals in nutrition, but this specific approach utilizing 3D modeling and human-derived in vitro models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Rajini — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Rao, Rajini
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.