Understanding how different microbes live and work together in the human gut
Ecological niche assignment in the gut microbiome on an ecosystem-level scale
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11132711
This project explores how the many different types of microbes in your gut find their unique roles and interact, which helps us understand how they affect your health.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11132711 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Your gut is home to hundreds of tiny microbial species, and each one plays a special part in keeping you healthy. This project aims to discover the specific jobs and strategies these microbes use to live together in your digestive system. Researchers will look at the genetic makeup of these microbes and conduct experiments to see how they grow and thrive. By learning more about these individual roles, we can better understand the complex community within your gut.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this knowledge may seek individuals with various gut-related conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat diseases by targeting specific microbes or improving the overall health of your gut microbiome.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall field of microbiome research is advancing rapidly, this project takes a novel, ecosystem-level approach to defining microbial colonization strategies.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIGHT, SAMUEL — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: LIGHT, SAMUEL
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.