Using engineered bacteria to improve gut health
Official title: Development of Engineered Native Bacteria as a Tool for Functional Manipulation of the Gut Microbiome
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11092923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to use specially designed bacteria to help improve gut health, which could lead to better treatments for people with chronic gut issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $766,167 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI163483-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic gastrointestinal disorders or those interested in improving their gut health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute gastrointestinal infections or those who do not have any gut-related health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel method to manipulate the gut microbiome by using engineered native bacteria. The approach aims to introduce beneficial functions into the gut environment, which could lead to improved health outcomes. By understanding how these bacteria interact with the host, the researchers hope to create more effective therapies for various chronic conditions related to gut health. Patients may benefit from therapies that are tailored to their unique microbiome composition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve gut health and overall well-being for patients with chronic gastrointestinal issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in manipulating the gut microbiome, but this approach of using engineered native bacteria is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarrinpar, Amir — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zarrinpar, Amir
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome
A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.
-
Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs
Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.
-
Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
-
Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective
This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.
-
How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work
This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.
-
Gut bacteria and cancer drugs: how your gut may change chemotherapy effectiveness
This project studies how the gut microbiome might affect how well certain chemotherapy drugs work and their side effects in people with cancer.
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.