Tracking how gut bacteria evolve in real time
Official title: Quantitative approaches for mapping the real-time evolution of the gut microbiota
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11360188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are building a way to map how gut bacteria change and adapt over days to months in people, using advanced math and computer tools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $393,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146949-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with gut health concerns or those undergoing treatments that affect the microbiome, such as antibiotics or fecal microbiota therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without gut-related conditions or those not affected by microbiome changes may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the trillions of microbes in the human gut mutate and shift their communities over time. By blending biophysical models with population genetics and new computational tools, researchers aim to predict how mutations spread among gut microbes when people take antibiotics or change their diet. The work focuses on understanding evolution in complex gut ecosystems to inform future treatments like personalized microbiome therapies. The outcomes could help tailor interventions to maintain a healthy gut balance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how gut microbes evolve could lead to more effective, personalized microbiome-based therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed rapid mutation spread in gut bacteria, and this project seeks to generalize and predict these patterns with new tools.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Good, Benjamin H — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Good, Benjamin H
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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.