Investigating how gut bacteria affect food allergies in children
Official title: Targeting microbial dysbiosis in Food Allergy to restore tolerance
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11012870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in kids' tummies might help their bodies get used to certain foods and avoid allergies, especially as they start eating solid foods after breastfeeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 25, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $583,560 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158814-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are at risk of developing food allergies or have already been diagnosed with them.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those without a history of food allergies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between gut bacteria and food allergies, particularly in young children. It focuses on how certain bacteria can help the immune system develop tolerance to food, potentially preventing allergic reactions. The study examines the changes in gut bacteria during the transition from breast milk to solid foods and how these changes influence immune responses. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new strategies for treating and preventing food allergies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that help children develop tolerance to food allergens, reducing the prevalence of food allergies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut bacteria in immune responses, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chatila, Talal Amine — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chatila, Talal Amine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting gut microbes to restore food-tolerance in adults
Aims to understand how gut bacteria and the lining of the gut interact to keep people with food allergies tolerant to what they eat.
-
New Horizons in preventing and treating food allergy
A Johns Hopkins-led effort aims to advance how we prevent and treat food allergies across all ages by coordinating high-quality studies and developing better therapies.
-
New Horizons in Food Allergy Prevention and Treatment
A large, multi-site program at Johns Hopkins aims to advance prevention and treatment of food allergies across all ages.
-
Food allergy outcomes by race/ethnicity from infancy through adolescence
This study follows children with food allergies over time to understand how race and ethnicity relate to allergy management, outcomes, and quality of life.
-
Gut-brain links in food allergy responses
A research grant is exploring how signals between the gut and brain drive dangerous reactions to foods, with the goal of helping people with food allergies.
-
Environment and early-life exposures shaping food allergy in children
This grant looks at how a child’s first year and their home environment may influence whether they develop food allergies, focusing on indoor exposures and microbes.
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.