Mapping gut microbe molecules linked to health and disease
Reverse Metabolomics for the Discovery of Disease Associated Microbial Molecules
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11292374
This project will create a huge searchable library of molecules made by gut microbes so researchers can link them to health problems and better tailor diet-based care.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11292374 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team will make and measure the chemical fingerprints of millions of molecules that gut microbes could produce from food and human compounds. They will compile those fingerprints into the largest reference dataset ever and connect known activities from the scientific literature. That searchable knowledgebase will help scientists find which microbe-made molecules might cause or protect from illness. Over time this could guide personalized nutrition or new treatments based on your microbiome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions linked to the gut microbiome—such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and some food-related or inflammatory disorders—would be most likely to benefit from findings derived from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the gut microbiome or metabolism are less likely to see direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific microbe-produced molecules that contribute to disease or health and help guide personalized dietary or therapeutic approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have identified a few important microbe-made molecules, but assembling a reference dataset at this scale is novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DORRESTEIN, PIETER C — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: DORRESTEIN, PIETER C
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.