Mother–infant map of transporter proteins that move nutrients and drugs
MiMA: Mother-infant Metabolite-transporter Atlas
Building a detailed map of the proteins that move nutrients, medicines, and other small molecules between pregnant or breastfeeding people and their babies.
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-11363692 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your view as a parent, this project will identify the transporter proteins that carry metabolites and drugs across tissues like the placenta, breast, infant gut, and the fetal blood‑brain barrier. Researchers will analyze samples such as breast milk, maternal and infant blood, and gut material using metabolomics, proteomics, and computational methods to link specific transporters to the molecules they move. They will prioritize transporters that are abundant or localized at key tissue barriers and aim to match 'orphan' transporters with their cargo. The team will create an atlas combining these data so doctors and scientists can better understand how substances reach and affect a developing baby.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people, lactating mothers, and their infants who can provide samples (for example, breast milk, blood, or stool) are the ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People without pregnancy or lactation exposure, or those unable or unwilling to provide biological samples, are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians predict and improve how nutrients, supplements, and medications reach fetuses and breastfed infants, improving safety and nutrition guidance.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have used metabolomics and proteomics to map molecules in other settings, but a comprehensive mother–infant transporter–metabolite atlas is largely novel.
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.