Understanding how gut bacteria process sugars to improve health
Official title: Gatekeeping glycan metabolism in the human gut microbiome
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11037474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut break down certain sugars from our food, with the hope of finding new ways to improve gut health and help people manage related health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $219,690 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM148075-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037474 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing gastrointestinal disorders or those interested in improving their gut health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no gastrointestinal issues or those not interested in dietary interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the ways in which bacteria in the human gut metabolize glycans, which are complex sugars derived from our diet and body. By studying these processes, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies to alter the gut microbiome's composition, potentially addressing various health issues. The approach involves analyzing the molecular mechanisms that bacteria use to break down and utilize these sugars, which could lead to better management of conditions linked to gut health. Patients may benefit from insights that could inform dietary recommendations or treatments targeting gut microbiota.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve gut health and overall well-being by manipulating the gut microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding gut microbiome interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sundberg, Eric John — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sundberg, Eric John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome
A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.
-
Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs
Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.
-
Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
-
Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective
This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.
-
How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work
This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.
-
Gut bacteria and cancer drugs: how your gut may change chemotherapy effectiveness
This project studies how the gut microbiome might affect how well certain chemotherapy drugs work and their side effects in people with cancer.
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.