Using gut bacteria to deliver genes through oral administration
Official title: Developing Outer Membranes Vesicles from Commensal Gut Bacteria as an Oral Gene Delivery Platform
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-11065517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to deliver helpful genes through a simple oral method using tiny bubbles from friendly gut bacteria, aiming to improve treatments for gut diseases and make it easier for patients to stick to their therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | April 3, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $160,635 |
| NIH project number | 5R21TR005069-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, or colon cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not affect the gastrointestinal tract or those who cannot tolerate oral therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method for delivering therapeutic genes orally using outer membrane vesicles from commensal gut bacteria. By utilizing these biological carriers, the research aims to enhance gene therapy outcomes for gastrointestinal diseases and potentially other conditions. The approach is non-invasive, promoting patient compliance and allowing for both local and systemic treatment. The study seeks to overcome current limitations in oral gene delivery, such as DNA degradation and low uptake by intestinal cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and convenient method for gene therapy, particularly for patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While oral gene delivery is a promising area, this specific approach using outer membrane vesicles from gut bacteria is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pannier, Angela K — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Pannier, Angela K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Identify Unknowns with Long-Read Bioinformatics for Vet Diagnostic Labs
A hands-on training program using long-read sequencing data to help veterinary diagnostic labs improve pathogen detection and outbreak response.
-
Enhancing pathogen and AMR detection with a new sequencing instrument
A veterinary lab is getting a high-throughput sequencing machine to help detect drug-resistant bacteria and emerging pathogens in animals and food, improving public health readiness.
-
How childhood hardship and neighborhood features affect adult alcohol and tobacco misuse
This project looks at whether adults who experienced tough childhoods are more likely to misuse alcohol or tobacco later in life and whether where they live makes that risk higher or lower.
-
Nicotine's effect on drinking sweetened alcoholic drinks
This project looks at whether nicotine makes people drink more sweetened alcoholic drinks, especially among people who smoke or drink heavily.
-
MiRNA roles in age-related muscle loss and NMJ health
This project explores how small RNA molecules called miRNAs influence muscle aging and the neuromuscular junction in adults.
-
MG53 protein to protect aging muscles during disuse
A small research project will explore whether increasing MG53 protein can help prevent muscle loss during periods of inactivity in aging, with the goal of protecting muscle health.
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.