How the immune system responds to proteins in the intestines of newborns
Official title: Immune Outcomes to Neonatal Antigen Delivery in the Intestine
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11085288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how what babies eat, especially through breastfeeding, helps their immune system learn to accept different foods and good bacteria, which could help prevent allergies and other health problems later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,504 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134366-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and newborns, particularly those who may be at risk for food allergies or inflammatory bowel diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older children or adults, or those who do not have a history of food allergies or inflammatory bowel diseases, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune system in newborns interacts with proteins from their diet and microbiota, which is crucial for developing tolerance to these substances. It focuses on understanding the role of breastfeeding and the components of breast milk, particularly epidermal growth factor (EGF), in preventing inflammatory disorders such as food allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases. The study aims to explore how different feeding practices, including breastfeeding and formula feeding, affect immune responses in infants. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to identify strategies for improving infant health and preventing future health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for food allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of food allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases, indicating that this area of investigation has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knoop, Kathryn a — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Knoop, Kathryn a
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.