Investigating how gut bacteria affect ulcerative colitis severity

Microbiome Driven Proteolysis as a Contributing Factor to Severity of Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-10857266

This study is looking at how a specific type of gut bacteria might affect the severity of ulcerative colitis, and it's for people with this condition who want to learn more about how their gut health could influence their symptoms.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10857266 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of gut bacteria, specifically Bacteroides vulgatus, in the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC). By analyzing fecal and serum samples from UC patients, the study aims to uncover how bacterial proteases influence disease activity. The approach includes advanced techniques like metaproteomics and shotgun metagenomics to identify key proteins and their effects on inflammation. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies that target these bacterial interactions rather than just the immune response.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, particularly those experiencing varying levels of disease severity.

Not a fit: Patients with other gastrointestinal disorders or those not diagnosed with ulcerative colitis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for ulcerative colitis by targeting the gut microbiome.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting the microbiome for inflammatory bowel diseases, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: chronic disorder, Chronic Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.