Mapping how mothers and infants share nutrients and other substances
MiMA: Mother-infant Metabolite-transporter Atlas
This project aims to create a detailed map of how mothers and infants exchange important nutrients and other substances across different body barriers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193846 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have special 'transporters' that act like gatekeepers, controlling what goes in and out of cells and tissues. This project focuses on understanding these transporters in mothers and their developing infants, especially how they work across barriers like the placenta, the fetal brain, and the infant's gut. By creating a comprehensive map, we hope to identify which transporters are responsible for moving specific nutrients, medications, and other compounds between mother and child. This knowledge is crucial for understanding infant development and health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this atlas may seek pregnant individuals, new mothers, and infants.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in the fundamental biological processes of maternal-infant exchange would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how nutrition and medications affect developing infants, potentially improving health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of transporters is well-established, creating a comprehensive atlas specifically for the mother-infant axis is a novel and ambitious undertaking.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Geoffrey a — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Chang, Geoffrey a
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.