Understanding how the gut microbiome influences energy use and metabolic health
Official title: Deciphering and predicting ecologically sensitive gut microbiome contributions to human metabolic health
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11406341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from Harvard will explore how our gut microbes affect how we get and use energy from food and how lifestyle factors like diet and exercise change this in ways that could impact metabolic health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160067-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults interested in how their gut microbiome affects energy and metabolism and who are willing to participate in lifestyle and microbiome studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not interested in or unable to participate in microbiome or lifestyle-related research may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how ecological changes in the gut microbiome, driven by diet and activity, influence energy intake and expenditure in people. Researchers will use experiment-based methods to identify when and why the microbiome shifts health-relevant energy balance, aiming to map factors that lead to healthier metabolic outcomes. The work seeks to translate complex gut microbial dynamics into insights that could guide personalized lifestyle recommendations and therapies for metabolic health. By studying variations between people and within individuals over time, the study aims to identify equitable, microbiome-targeted approaches that support healthier energy use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform personalized dietary and lifestyle strategies to improve metabolic health through the gut microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows microbiome composition can relate to energy metabolism, but the field needs causal and causal-informative results to guide therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carmody, Rachel Naomi — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Carmody, Rachel Naomi
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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.