Understanding how gut bacteria can influence immune responses
Official title: Decode and design T cell induction by a complex gut microbial community
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10885910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain types of gut bacteria can help boost the immune system to fight diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, and it's aimed at finding new treatments that use the good bacteria in our guts to improve health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $128,989 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AI173524-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autoimmune diseases, cancer, or other conditions that could benefit from improved immune modulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have immune-related conditions or those who are not responsive to microbial therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific strains of gut bacteria can stimulate the immune system to produce targeted T and B cells, which are crucial for fighting diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. By creating a complex gut environment in germ-free mice, the researchers will analyze how these bacteria interact with immune cells. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind these interactions to develop new therapies that harness the power of the gut microbiome for better health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that enhance the immune response against various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using gut microbiota to modulate immune responses, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagashima, Kazuki — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Nagashima, Kazuki
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.