Understanding the role of skin bacteria in atopic dermatitis
Official title: Microbiome Function in Atopic Dermatitis
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11078829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the good and bad bacteria on our skin affect atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition, and aims to find ways to help the good bacteria thrive to improve skin health for both kids and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $467,791 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI152038-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078829 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of all ages suffering from atopic dermatitis, particularly those with severe or chronic symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without atopic dermatitis or those who do not have a significant microbiome imbalance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the skin microbiome affects atopic dermatitis (AD), a common inflammatory skin condition. It focuses on the absence of beneficial bacteria in individuals with AD and how harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus worsen the condition. The study will explore ways to enhance the survival of beneficial bacteria on the skin and evaluate potential treatments for both adults and children with AD. By understanding these interactions, the research aims to develop new therapies that target the microbiome to improve skin health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that restore healthy skin microbiomes and alleviate symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in manipulating the skin microbiome to improve skin conditions, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallo, Richard L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Gallo, Richard L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Stopping Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy: Preventing Food Allergy by Protecting the Skin
A large study in infants at high risk for allergies tests whether using a skin barrier cream together with early, proactive skin care can prevent peanut allergy and other food allergies.
-
SEAL Study: Preventing peanut allergy by protecting baby skin
This trial tests whether using a skin-emollient and proactive skin steroids early in life can prevent peanut allergy in high-risk infants.
-
SEAL Study: Prevent allergy by protecting the baby’s skin
A very young group of high-risk babies will try a early skin-care plan to reduce eczema and prevent peanut allergy.
-
Understanding how skin fungi affect atopic dermatitis in adults
A study will look at how the skin's fungal community influences atopic dermatitis in adults and whether this understanding could lead to new treatments.
-
Preventing eczema-related allergies by strengthening infants' skin barrier
This project will see if using a trilipid skin cream plus proactive mild topical steroids in infants with early dry skin or eczema lowers their chances of developing food allergies.
-
Personalized predictions for how atopic dermatitis may progress in kids and teens
A patient-friendly plan to forecast how early-onset eczema might evolve in children and young people using simple health clues and data from diverse settings.
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.