Investigating how environmental chemicals affect bladder health through microbiomes
Official title: Bladders and biomes: Environmental compounds as modifiers of microbiomes, metabolomes, and urothelium
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10923936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain environmental pollutants, like those found in car exhaust and burnt food, might affect bladder health and cancer risk, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding why some people get bladder cancer after being exposed to these pollutants while others don’t.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $166,979 |
| NIH project number | 5K08ES034821-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly those at risk for bladder cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any history of exposure to environmental pollutants or those without risk factors for bladder cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between bladder cancer and exposure to environmental pollutants, specifically benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a harmful compound found in sources like automobile exhaust and charred food. It aims to understand how the gut and urine microbiomes may influence the metabolism of BaP and its effects on bladder health. By studying both human cells and microbial interactions, the research seeks to uncover why some individuals exposed to BaP develop bladder cancer while others do not. The study will involve both laboratory experiments and animal models to assess these complex interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for bladder cancer linked to environmental exposures.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interactions between microbiomes and bladder cancer related to BaP are largely unexplored, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding the role of microbiomes in other cancers.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hale, Vanessa L — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Hale, Vanessa L
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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.