Understanding how the blood microbiome affects asthma development
Official title: Development of Methodologies to Reveal the Role of the Blood Microbiome in the Gut-Lung Axis
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11310243 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny germs in the blood might be linked to asthma in young kids, and it aims to find affordable ways to spot these germs so we can better predict asthma risk, using samples from pregnant women and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 2, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HL163519-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310243 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women and their children, particularly those at risk for asthma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have children under the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between the blood microbiome and asthma, particularly in young children. By developing a cost-effective sequencing method, the study aims to identify microbial blood biomarkers that may indicate the risk of asthma. The research will utilize samples from an ongoing clinical trial involving pregnant women and their children, employing advanced computational techniques and deep learning to analyze the data. This approach could lead to improved diagnostic tools for early detection of asthma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic methods for asthma, allowing for earlier intervention and better management of the condition.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the gut microbiome in asthma has been explored, the specific focus on the blood microbiome in this context is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Zheng — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sun, Zheng
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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.