Understanding the complex sugars in human milk and their role in infant development
A bioanalytical research program to unravel the human milk glycome
This study is looking at special sugars in breast milk that help babies grow healthy, especially for their brains and digestion, and it's for anyone interested in better nutrition for infants, especially those who can't get breast milk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10911093 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are complex sugars found in breast milk that play a crucial role in the healthy development of infants, particularly in the brain-gut axis. The study aims to develop advanced analytical techniques to better characterize these sugars and understand how their structures influence their biological functions. By employing innovative methods such as multidimensional liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, the researchers hope to unravel the complexities of HMOs and their specific roles in infant health. This work could lead to improved nutritional strategies for infants, especially those who may not have access to breast milk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants, particularly those who are formula-fed or have specific nutritional needs.
Not a fit: Patients who are exclusively breastfed and do not require additional nutritional interventions may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of infant nutrition and lead to better infant formulas that mimic the beneficial properties of human milk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of HMOs in infant health, but this specific approach using advanced analytical techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagy, Gabe — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Nagy, Gabe
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.