How small‑ and large‑bowel microbiota transfers affect health
Probing short and long term consequences of Small and Large Bowel Microbiota Transplants on Host Physiology: Implications for the development of future live biotherapeutics
This project looks at whether moving microbes from the small intestine versus the colon changes gut function and overall health for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247555 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare what happens when microbes from the small intestine or the colon are transplanted into different gut regions, tracking short‑ and long‑term effects on digestion, immunity, and metabolism. They will use 16S sequencing to follow which microbes take hold and measure host responses in tissue samples and physiological tests. The team will look for adverse mismatches when colon microbes are placed in the small intestine (and vice versa) and how those mismatches affect regional and whole‑body health. Results are intended to guide the design of safer, more precise live biotherapeutic products and fecal microbiota transplant approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with recurrent C. difficile infection, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, or those considering fecal microbiota transplant or other live microbiome therapies.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to gut microbes or who are not candidates for microbiome therapies are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer, more effective microbiome‑based treatments tailored to specific parts of the gut.
How similar studies have performed: Fecal microbiota transplant has been effective for recurrent C. difficile, but comparing small‑intestine versus colonic transplants and their long‑term regional effects is a relatively new area.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Eugene B — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Chang, Eugene B
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.