Our Genes and the Microbes Living Inside Us
Population Genomics of Host-Microbiome Interactions
This project explores how our unique genes influence the tiny living things in our bodies, like gut bacteria, and how these interactions affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138550 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are home to many different microbes, and the mix of these microbes varies greatly from person to person, which can be linked to various health conditions. This project aims to discover how our individual genetic makeup controls these microbial communities and how these interactions, in turn, influence our genes and overall health. We want to understand the specific genetic factors that shape the relationship between humans and their microbes, moving beyond simple connections to find out how these tiny organisms truly impact our bodies. By treating the microbiome as a measurable trait, we can pinpoint the host genes that influence its variation and identify which of our own genes are regulated by the microbiome. This work seeks to fill important gaps in our knowledge about how our genes and the microbes within us work together to affect complex human diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with various complex human diseases or those interested in the genetic and microbial factors influencing health might find this research relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions may not see direct benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to understand, diagnose, or treat diseases by targeting the interactions between our genes and our body's microbes.
How similar studies have performed: While many studies have shown associations between the microbiome and disease, this project aims to move beyond correlations to understand direct genetic mechanisms, which is a less explored area.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blekhman, Ran — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Blekhman, Ran
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.