Understanding the Gut Microbiome in Sepsis-Related Kidney Injury
A translational approach to interrogate the gut microbiome in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
This research explores how the bacteria in your gut might influence why some people with severe infections develop kidney damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123095 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Sepsis, a serious infection response, can lead to life-threatening organ damage, including acute kidney injury (AKI). We don't fully understand why some patients with sepsis get AKI while others do not. This project looks at the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria in your intestines, to see if it plays a role in this difference. By studying both animal models and existing patient data, we hope to uncover how specific gut bacteria might protect against or contribute to kidney damage during sepsis. Our goal is to find new ways to predict and prevent AKI in patients with severe infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research focuses on understanding the disease process in patients who have experienced sepsis and acute kidney injury, or those at risk.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by sepsis or acute kidney injury would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify patients at risk for kidney injury during sepsis and potentially develop treatments that target the gut microbiome to prevent this serious complication.
How similar studies have performed: While the link between the gut microbiome and critical illness is gaining attention, its specific contribution to sepsis-associated acute kidney injury is largely unexplored, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winner, Katherine — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Winner, Katherine
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.