How the gut and brain communicate to fight infections
Official title: Mechanisms of the gut-brain axis that regulate innate immunity
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11124673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our gut and brain work together to help us fight off bacterial infections, using a tiny worm as a model, and aims to uncover new ways to improve our health when dealing with germs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $435,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM149284-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124673 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 immune system dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any gut-related issues or immune system disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the gut-brain axis helps animals, including humans, respond to bacterial infections. By using a simple model organism called C. elegans, the study explores how the nervous system detects different microbes and communicates with the gut to trigger immune responses. It also examines how the gut sends signals back to the brain to influence behavior and physiology. The findings aim to deepen our understanding of how our bodies interact with microbes and could lead to new insights into treating infections.
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 research has shown promising results in understanding gut-brain interactions, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Irazoqui, Javier Elbio — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Irazoqui, Javier Elbio
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.