Investigating the role of vaginal microbiome in preterm birth
Official title: A large scale investigation of the vaginal metagenome and metabolome and their role in spontaneous preterm birth
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11178856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the vagina might affect the risk of early birth, and it involves pregnant women who can help by sharing samples to improve our understanding of this important health issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $96,206 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD106017-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are pregnant women at various stages of their pregnancy, particularly those at risk for spontaneous preterm birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have had previous preterm births due to non-microbiome related factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the vaginal microbiome and its metabolites may contribute to spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). By analyzing samples from a large cohort of pregnant women, the study aims to identify specific microbial patterns that could predict the risk of sPTB. The research utilizes advanced sequencing techniques to profile the vaginal microbiome at different stages of pregnancy, providing insights into its potential causal relationship with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Patients may be involved in providing samples and contributing to a better understanding of this significant health issue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and prevention strategies for spontaneous preterm birth, improving neonatal outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a potential link between the vaginal microbiome and pregnancy outcomes, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive analysis using a larger sample size.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korem, Tal — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Korem, Tal
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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.