Understanding how bacteria interact in animal gut communities
Official title: The molecular bases of interbacterial and bacterial-host interactions in microbial communities
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11091046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the tiny bacteria living in and on bees affect their health, helping us understand how these relationships work and what they might mean for our own gut health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $395,701 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM158145-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with gut microbiome-related health issues or those interested in the effects of microbial communities on health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gut microbiome interactions or those not affected by bacterial communities may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex interactions between bacterial communities and their animal hosts, focusing on how these relationships affect health. Using insects, particularly bees, as experimental models, the research aims to uncover how bacteria compete, how hosts select beneficial bacteria, and how certain bacteria survive within host cells. By employing advanced genetic and experimental techniques, the study seeks to provide insights into the dynamics of microbial communities and their implications for health, including parallels to the human gut microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for manipulating gut microbiomes to improve health outcomes in humans and animals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding microbial interactions in simpler models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moran, Nancy a. — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Moran, Nancy a.
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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.