Microbiota Metallophores: How gut bacteria grab metals to stay healthy
Official title: Microbiota Metallophores: Probing Interactions and Nutrient Dynamics of the Human Gut
Funded at University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) · NIH-11331302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the bacteria in the gut obtain essential metals and how this affects immune function and nutrition in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,333 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155026-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with gut-related health issues or those interested in how microbiome metals influence health may benefit from future applications stemming from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without gut-related concerns may not directly benefit from the findings in the short term.
What this research studies
This project looks at metallophores, tiny molecules that grab metals, and how gut bacteria like Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and other microbes acquire metals when the host's metal balance changes. By examining metal-binding strategies and their impact on microbial communities, the study aims to reveal how metal availability shapes gut health and immune development. The work involves analyzing bacterial genes, metal-binding compounds, and their interactions within human-derived gut environments to understand nutrient dynamics and potential implications for disease and nutrition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved understanding of how gut microbes obtain metals could lead to new approaches for supporting digestion, immunity, and nutritional status in people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown metallophore pathways influence microbial survival in metal-limited gut environments, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aron, Allegra — University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
- Study coordinator: Aron, Allegra
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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.