Making beneficial sugars from human milk using microbes
Microbial production of fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides
This project explores how to make special sugars found in human milk using tiny organisms, which could help both babies and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11120920 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) efficiently using microbes. HMOs are natural compounds in breast milk that help babies stay healthy by acting as antimicrobials, antivirals, and prebiotics, and by regulating immune responses. Researchers are particularly interested in a group of HMOs called Type 1 glycans, which are abundant in human milk and have many potential health benefits. By producing these specific HMOs, scientists hope to better understand their functions and develop them as potential treatments for various diseases in both children and adults. This work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat health issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies stemming from it could benefit infants and adults with various health conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments for diseases in both children and adults by providing access to beneficial human milk oligosaccharides.
How similar studies have performed: While the general benefits of HMOs are known, this specific approach to efficient microbial production of fucosylated Type 1 glycans is a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atsumi, Shota — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Atsumi, Shota
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 below.