Using early-life gut microbes to help prevent type 1 diabetes
Leveraging early-life microbes to prevent type 1 diabetes
This project tests whether shaping babies' early gut microbes can help prevent type 1 diabetes in children at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294268 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how the microbes in babies' guts shape the immune system and influence the chance of developing type 1 diabetes. The team created a special germ-free mouse model that is given defined sets of early-life bacteria to mimic infant gut communities. They will test specific bacterial strains and combinations to see which ones train the immune system to avoid attacking the pancreas. The goal is to identify microbiome-based approaches that could one day prevent type 1 diabetes in children with high genetic risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research would most directly apply to infants and young children with increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes, such as those with high-risk HLA types or a strong family history.
Not a fit: Adults who already have type 1 diabetes are unlikely to benefit directly from these early-life prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to microbiome-based prevention strategies that reduce children's risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies and early human microbiome research have linked gut bacteria to type 1 diabetes risk, but microbiota-based prevention in people remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Silverman, Michael a — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Silverman, Michael a
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.