Investigating how early life gut bacteria affect skin health
Official title: Early life dysbiosis, and skin barrier function
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-10988301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in young children's guts might affect their skin health, especially for kids under 11, and it wants to find out if things like being born by C-section or taking antibiotics can change those bacteria and lead to skin issues like allergies or asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | November 17, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $234,488 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI176276-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10988301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who have experienced early life dysbiosis or are at risk for allergic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have a history of allergic diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between early life gut bacteria and skin barrier function, particularly in children under 11 years old. It examines how environmental factors, such as C-section delivery and antibiotic use, can alter microbial composition in infants, potentially leading to allergic diseases like asthma and dermatitis. The study aims to understand how these changes in gut bacteria can affect skin permeability and overall skin health. By analyzing gene expression related to skin barrier function, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic interventions to improve skin health in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating allergic diseases in children by improving skin barrier function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut bacteria in skin health, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghosh, Debajyoti — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Ghosh, Debajyoti
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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.