Using gut bacteria metabolism to prevent infections

Harnessing commensal redox metabolism in infection prevention

NIH-funded research Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10991716

This study is looking at how the good and bad bacteria in your gut interact and how we can use that knowledge to stop harmful germs like Clostridioides difficile from growing, which could help develop new treatments to keep you healthy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10991716 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the metabolism of gut bacteria can influence the growth of harmful pathogens, specifically focusing on Clostridioides difficile. By analyzing how nutrients are processed by both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, the study aims to identify ways to deprive harmful bacteria of the resources they need to thrive. The research employs innovative techniques to track how nutrients move between bacteria and the host, and it explores how altering the gut environment can affect disease progression. Ultimately, the findings could lead to new treatments that utilize small molecules or beneficial bacteria to prevent infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of infections from Clostridioides difficile, particularly those with compromised gut health.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have any gut-related infections or conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing infections caused by harmful gut bacteria.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using bacterial metabolism to influence gut health, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.