Understanding how gut bacteria change over time
Quantitative approaches for mapping the real-time evolution of the gut microbiota
This research aims to understand how the bacteria in our gut change rapidly, which could help us fight antibiotic resistance and develop better personalized treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our gut contains billions of bacteria that are constantly changing and evolving. These rapid changes can affect important health issues, like how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics or how well treatments like fecal transplants work. Currently, we don't fully understand the rules that govern these changes or how things like diet and medicines influence them. This project will combine advanced computer modeling with new tools to predict how gut bacteria evolve within our bodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to anyone interested in gut health, antibiotic resistance, or conditions influenced by the gut microbiome.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to predict and prevent antibiotic resistance and help create more effective, personalized treatments for gut-related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While previous work has shown rapid genetic changes in gut bacteria, this project aims to develop a novel framework for predicting how these changes occur within complex communities.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Good, Benjamin H — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Good, Benjamin H
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.