Understanding Minerals for Mother and Child Health
Minerals in Nutrition and Development
This project explores how mothers and babies absorb and use essential minerals from food, which are vital for healthy growth and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129810 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies need essential minerals like copper, zinc, calcium, and iron for healthy growth and function, especially for mothers and their developing babies. This project aims to understand how these important minerals are absorbed and shared between a mother and her child, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We want to learn more about the specific proteins that transport these minerals in human tissues, including the infant's gut and the mother's intestine and breast. By bridging this knowledge gap, we hope to improve health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is most relevant to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants, as it seeks to understand the basic processes of mineral nutrition critical for their health.
Not a fit: Patients not in the categories of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or infants would not directly benefit from this specific foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better nutritional guidelines and interventions to ensure mothers and babies receive the right balance of essential minerals for optimal health.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms of human metal transport during pregnancy and lactation are poorly defined, general research into nutrient absorption and its importance is well-established.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Rajini — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Rao, Rajini
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.