Improving sepsis outcomes by targeting the gut
The Gut as a Target to Improve Outcomes in Sepsis
Researchers are working to restore the gut lining, the gut microbiome, and local immune responses to help people with sepsis—especially those who also have cancer—survive and recover.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235832 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on how sepsis damages the intestinal lining, the communities of gut microbes, and the gut's local immune cells. The team will study each component separately and then examine how they interact to drive organ failure, using laboratory models and analyses of patient-related samples. Special attention is given to people with cancer, who face much higher risk and worse outcomes from sepsis. The goal is to identify biological targets in the gut that could be used to develop new treatments to reduce death and complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have sepsis—especially those who also have cancer—or patients willing to donate samples for research would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: People without sepsis or whose illness does not involve gut dysfunction are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new gut-directed therapies that reduce death and organ failure in people with sepsis, particularly cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and early clinical work on microbiome and barrier-protecting strategies show promise, but there are currently no proven gut-directed therapies for sepsis.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coopersmith, Craig M — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Coopersmith, Craig M
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.