Understanding how a gut microbe uses mucin for health benefits
Official title: Investigating the Mucin Utilization Capabilities of Akkermansia muciniphila
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11019702 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a friendly gut microbe called Akkermansia muciniphila to see how it helps protect against gut inflammation, obesity, and diabetes, which could lead to new ways to improve your gut health and overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI179042-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019702 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing obesity, metabolic disorders, or gut inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no gastrointestinal issues or those not affected by obesity or metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the capabilities of the gut microbe Akkermansia muciniphila, which thrives on mucin, a component of the gut lining. By studying how this microbe metabolizes mucin, the research aims to uncover its role in protecting against gut inflammation, obesity, and metabolic disorders like diabetes. The approach includes advanced genetic techniques to identify the specific genes involved in mucin utilization, which could lead to new insights into gut health and disease prevention. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how gut microbes can influence their health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new probiotic treatments that improve gut health and reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut microbes in health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Agastya — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Agastya
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.