Using gut bacteria to identify and measure sugars in the body
Harnessing the gut microbiome to detect and quantify glycans
This study is looking at special sugars in your gut and how they work with gut bacteria, hoping to find new ways to improve gut health and help people feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914061 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the complex sugars, known as glycans, found in the gut and how they interact with gut bacteria. By developing new methods to detect and quantify these glycans, the study aims to uncover their roles in gut health and disease. The approach involves using engineered gut microbes to identify specific glycan substrates in biological samples, which could lead to new insights into gut microbiome dynamics and potential therapeutic applications. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how their gut health is influenced by these sugars.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with gastrointestinal disorders or those interested in gut health.
Not a fit: Patients without any gastrointestinal issues or those not interested in gut microbiome research may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments targeting gut health by manipulating glycan interactions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using microbiome interactions to understand gut health, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Townsend, Guy Edmund — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Townsend, Guy Edmund
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.