Understanding how gut bacteria affect the health of breastfed infants
DIVERSITY OF HUMAN MILK OLIGOSACCHARIDE METABOLIZING GENES IN TWO INFANT COHORTS
This study is looking at how certain sugars in breast milk affect the gut bacteria of babies and how this might relate to skin conditions like eczema, so if you're a parent of a breastfed infant, your child's health could be part of this important research!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wellesley College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wellesley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10358332 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and the gut bacteria of infants to understand their impact on conditions like atopic dermatitis and eczema. By analyzing the genetic diversity of HMO-metabolizing genes in infants from two different cohorts, the study aims to uncover how these factors contribute to the health of breastfed infants. The research will involve collecting and analyzing samples from infants in the Midwest and Northeast United States to explore the connection between diet, gut microbiota, and skin health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 0-11 months who are being breastfed.
Not a fit: Patients who are not breastfed or who have existing severe allergic conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dietary recommendations for breastfeeding mothers to help reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis in infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that human milk feeding can have protective effects against atopic dermatitis, but this research aims to explore the underlying mechanisms, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Wellesley, United States
- Wellesley College — Wellesley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klepac-Ceraj, Vanja — Wellesley College
- Study coordinator: Klepac-Ceraj, Vanja
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.