Predicting antibiotic‑resistant gut infections from the microbiome
Project 2: Leveraging Metagenomics of the Microbiome to predict colonization/infection by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
Researchers are using gut microbiome DNA to predict who might carry or get infections from antibiotic‑resistant bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You might be asked to give stool samples so researchers can sequence microbial DNA and look for patterns linked to colonization by antibiotic‑resistant bacteria such as VRE, ESBL‑E/CRE, and C. difficile. The team compares microbiome profiles from people who do and do not become colonized, and uses lab and animal models to understand how microbes interact and drive infection. They combine sequencing with clinical data and computational models to try to predict who is at higher risk. This work aims to point toward microbiome‑based ways to prevent or reduce antibiotic‑resistant gut infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are hospitalized patients or people recently exposed to antibiotics who can provide stool samples and clinical information.
Not a fit: People without gut‑related infection risk or those unable or unwilling to provide stool samples may not receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify patients at high risk of antibiotic‑resistant gut colonization and guide prevention or targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous microbiome studies have linked community changes to C. difficile and some resistant bacteria, but using metagenomics to reliably predict colonization across multiple AMR pathogens is still an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shelburne, Samuel a — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Shelburne, Samuel 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.