How the human gut microbiome changes during colonization
Official title: Evolutionary Dynamics of the Human Gut Microbiome During Colonization
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10896972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut change and settle in after receiving a fecal transplant, which could help us understand how to make these treatments work better for people with different health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,010 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151023-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals undergoing fecal microbiome transplants or those with gastrointestinal disorders related to microbiome imbalances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have gastrointestinal issues or are not undergoing microbiome-related treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the dynamics of the human gut microbiome and how it adapts during colonization, particularly after fecal microbiome transplants (FMTs). It aims to understand why some microbial strains successfully colonize the gut while others fail, which is crucial for improving treatment outcomes for various diseases. By developing new statistical methods to analyze metagenomic data, the study seeks to uncover the evolutionary processes that influence gut microbiome adaptation and colonization. This could lead to better strategies for manipulating the microbiome to enhance health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for diseases associated with gut microbiome disruptions.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success in understanding microbiome dynamics in animal models, but this research aims to apply those insights specifically to human gut microbiome colonization, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garud, Nandita — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Garud, Nandita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome
A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.
-
Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs
Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.
-
Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
-
Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective
This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.
-
How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work
This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.
-
Gut bacteria and cancer drugs: how your gut may change chemotherapy effectiveness
This project studies how the gut microbiome might affect how well certain chemotherapy drugs work and their side effects in people with cancer.
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.