How the body absorbs iron from meat and other foods in rats to understand iron deficiency and overload
Official title: Mechanisms of Intestinal Heme-iron Absorption in Rat Models of Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11332718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying how the body absorbs iron from the diet, especially the differences between iron from meat and other sources, to better understand conditions like iron deficiency and iron overload in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,267 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134583-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with iron-related health concerns or pregnant women and their offspring who are at risk for iron imbalance; future translational work could involve human studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without iron metabolism issues or those not affected by iron imbalance are less likely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses Sprague-Dawley rats to model how dietary heme iron is absorbed and how this process may differ from nonheme iron. The goal is to uncover the intestinal mechanisms that control iron uptake, which could illuminate why some people become anemic and others accumulate too much iron. Findings could point to new ways to prevent or treat iron-related blood disorders in humans. The work builds on prior observations in animals but aims to translate insights to human health, including potential implications for pregnancy and development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better strategies to prevent iron deficiency and iron overload in people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in animal models suggest similar iron-absorption pathways exist in humans, but this work uses a rat model to fill gaps about heme iron uptake.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, James F. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Collins, James F.
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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.