Mapping how nutrients and metabolites are transported between mothers and infants

MiMA: Mother-infant Metabolite-transporter Atlas

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10857996

This study is looking at how nutrients and important substances move between mothers and their babies, so we can better understand how what a mom eats can impact her baby's growth and health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10857996 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the transport mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of nutrients and metabolites between mothers and their infants. By creating a comprehensive atlas of transporters, the study aims to identify how these transporters function across various tissues, including the fetal blood-brain barrier and the infant gut. The approach involves advanced techniques in metabolomics and proteomics to prioritize and analyze the transporters' roles in maternal and infant health. Patients may benefit from insights into how maternal nutrition affects infant development and health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include pregnant women and mothers with infants under 11 years old.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have infants may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, enhancing infant health and development.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding maternal-infant nutrient transport, but this comprehensive mapping approach is relatively novel.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.