Understanding how gut bacteria talk to our bodies using electricity
Characterizing bioelectrical signaling between the gut microbiota and the host
This research explores how the bacteria in our gut communicate with our bodies through electrical signals, which could help us better understand health and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115783 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies use many ways to communicate, including electrical signals, not just in the brain but throughout our systems. We know that bacteria in the environment use electrical signals to talk to each other, and early findings suggest this might also happen between gut bacteria and human cells. This project will use new tools to look closely at these electrical conversations between gut microbes and their human hosts. By understanding these precise communication methods, we hope to uncover new insights into how our gut health affects our overall well-being.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not involve direct patient participation, but future studies building on these discoveries could benefit individuals with various gut-related health conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not receive benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways that gut bacteria influence our health, potentially leading to new strategies for preventing or treating diseases linked to the gut.
How similar studies have performed: While traditional gut research has shown correlations between microbes and disease, this specific area of bioelectrical communication between gut microbes and hosts is largely unexplored and represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Needham, Brittany — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Needham, Brittany
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.