Understanding how our bodies and gut bacteria work together to fight disease
Understanding host-microbiome coevolution and genetic variation in immunity using an insect model system
This project explores how our immune system and the tiny organisms living inside us have evolved together, using an insect model to learn more about human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143191 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are home to many tiny organisms, called the microbiome, which play a big role in our health. This project looks at how our immune system controls these microbes and how changes in our genes can affect this balance, potentially leading to disease. Researchers are using pea aphids, a type of insect, as a model because they reproduce quickly and their microbiomes can be easily changed. By studying these insects, scientists hope to uncover fundamental rules about how hosts and microbes evolve together, which could offer new insights into human immune system function and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve human patients, but future applications may benefit individuals with conditions related to immune system dysfunction, microbiome imbalances, or bacterial infections.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this foundational work could lead to a better understanding of how genetic differences influence our immune system's interaction with the microbiome, potentially guiding future strategies for preventing or treating bacterial infections and related diseases in humans.
How similar studies have performed: The research builds upon the lab's previous findings that show genetic variations in the immune system influence how hosts associate with bacterial partners.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Benjamin James — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Parker, Benjamin James
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.