Understanding how gut bacteria manage iron during inflammation
Official title: Iron homeostasis in sustaining commensal resilience in the inflamed gut
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11017607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how good bacteria in your gut, especially one called Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, stay strong during times of intestinal inflammation and how they use iron, which is important for their health, to help find new ways to improve gut health for people with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $34,295 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI178950-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis or other conditions associated with gut inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders or those without any gut-related issues may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the gut microbiota, particularly the bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, maintains its resilience during episodes of intestinal inflammation. It focuses on the mechanisms by which these beneficial bacteria capture and utilize iron, a crucial nutrient that is often sequestered by the host's immune system to combat pathogens. By exploring the interactions between gut bacteria and iron availability, the research aims to uncover strategies that could help restore a healthy gut microbiome in inflamed conditions. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory bowel diseases by enhancing the resilience of beneficial gut bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gut microbiota interactions with nutrients, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fansler, Ryan T — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Fansler, Ryan T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
-
Understanding how neurons resist and recover from toxic chemicals
Researchers are studying how brain cells fight back against harmful chemicals to help people survive exposure.
-
Fostering Community Connections to Strengthen Youth Resilience and Well-Being
A Hawaii-based effort helps teens and young adults get mental health and preventive care more easily by building local networks and smart referral pathways.
-
Indigenous healthy homes and communities to improve health and resilience
A community-led effort in Indigenous communities in the US Southwest aims to improve housing and health, focusing on safer homes, cleaner indoor environments, and access to culturally competent care.
-
Neural Circuitry Resilience in Psychotic Disorders
Researchers are using ultra-high-field brain scans to understand how brain networks in people with schizophrenia adapt over time, with the goal of finding new ways to improve thinking and daily functioning.
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.