Site-specific gene-microbial interactions in children with Crohn’s disease
Official title: Site specific gene-microbial interactions in children with early-onset Crohn’s disease
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11451806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-focused study explores how genes and gut microbes interact in very young children with Crohn’s disease to understand why the disease starts and how it might be treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $244,468 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI194215-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with very early-onset Crohn’s disease or those with related genetic susceptibility factors.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy children or those without the specific genetic/microbiome context may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model that mimics human early-onset Crohn’s disease to study how genetic factors and gut bacteria work together to drive inflammation. The team is investigating how defects in immune sensing and bacterial killing influence disease, with the goal of identifying potential new targets for therapy. By linking genetic susceptibility with microbiome changes, the research aims to reveal mechanisms that could lead to more effective, personalized treatments for children with VEO-IBD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for therapies tailored to children with very early-onset Crohn’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that NOD2 and NADPH oxidase pathways influence gut bacteria and inflammation, supporting this approach but human translation remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caruso, Roberta — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Caruso, Roberta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Ultrasound markers to measure Crohn’s disease activity
A Mayo Clinic team is testing new 3D ultrasound methods to reliably track inflammation and scarring in Crohn’s disease using safe, affordable imaging that could replace more costly scans.
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Understanding abnormal sugar building blocks in Crohn’s disease to guide smarter therapies
This project looks at how a specific genetic variation affects how Crohn’s disease works and whether targeting that pathway could lead to new treatments.
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AI and single-cell tests to predict Crohn's disease course in children
This project uses artificial intelligence plus single-cell and other molecular data to predict which children and teens with Crohn's disease will have mild versus severe or treatment‑resistant disease.
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How IL-23 Blockade in Crohn's Disease Changes Immune Cells
This study looks at how the IL-23 blocking therapy risankizumab affects immune cells in people with Crohn’s disease.
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Metabolic signatures that predict outcomes in children with Crohn's
This project looks at metabolism patterns in children with Crohn's disease to help predict how their condition will progress and respond to treatments.
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Pediatric Crohn’s Disease: Endoscopic and Imaging Healing with Anti-TNF Therapy
A large pediatric study will look at how endoscopic healing and imaging healing relate to pre-treatment factors in kids newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease who start anti-TNF therapy.
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.