Understanding and shaping the human gut microbiome
A multi-scale systems biology framework for understanding and engineering the human gut microbiome
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11370157
They are building computer-and-lab tools to predict how gut bacteria and the chemicals they make affect people with gut, immune, or metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11370157 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project will create a multi-scale systems framework that links bacterial genes to how species interact as communities and to the chemicals they produce. The team will measure important gut metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, trimethylamine, tryptophan products, and hydrogen sulfide and study how combinations of these chemicals affect the gut lining and T cell activity. Researchers will assemble simplified human gut communities in the lab and test environmental effects like dietary fiber, then transfer communities into germ-free mice to observe effects in a mammalian gut. The goal is to combine experiments and computer models to predict which microbes, interactions, and diets drive health-relevant functions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with gut inflammation, immune-related gut conditions, metabolic disorders, or volunteers willing to donate stool samples for microbiome research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment or those with conditions unrelated to the gut should not expect direct personal health benefit from this basic and preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to predict and deliberately change the gut microbiome to improve intestinal barrier health, immunity, metabolism, and related symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked individual microbial metabolites to health and used mouse models, but combining multi-scale predictive modeling with engineered human gut communities is a novel and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VENTURELLI, OPHELIA — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: VENTURELLI, OPHELIA
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.