Mucus and Air-Liquid Interface Models of the Human Gut
Official title: Mucus and ALI Models of the Human Intestine
Funded at Altis Biosystems, INC. · NIH-11348884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to create realistic human gut mucus and tissue models to study how the gut lining stays healthy and how mucus acts as a barrier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Altis Biosystems, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,001,183 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK130708-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient participants in this work; the grant develops research models using donor-derived cells.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is involved in this model-building project.
What this research studies
This project will develop a gut model that captures the mucus layer and epithelial cells using donor-derived human tissues. It will focus on producing native human GI mucus and a compatible airway-liquid interface (ALI) epithelial culture to mimic in vivo conditions. The goal is to create reliable, reproducible models that reflect how mucus and the gut lining work together to protect the body from microbes and toxins. Researchers will establish standardized workflows so scientists can study mucus biology and gut homeostasis more accurately.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from better understanding of gut barrier function and mucus, which may inform treatments for digestive diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that native mucus and ALI-derived gut models can better mimic human biology than traditional cultures, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Altis Biosystems, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sims, Christopher Eldridge — Altis Biosystems, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sims, Christopher Eldridge
Related research
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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.