# Determination of the Microbiome of Growth Restricted Mice

> **NIH NIH R03** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $78,250

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Evidence of the long-term detriment to humans following early life malnutrition is compelling, but to develop interventions to
help these individuals we need to uncover the mechanisms responsible for impairment. A key gap in the literature relates
to the microbiome and metabolome of growth restricted individuals. We have previously collected fecal samples and tissue
samples ready to be analyzed to fill this gap in the literature. Thus, this application fits the scope of the Eunice Kennedy
Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development to promote health across the lifespan. Furthermore, this
application aligns with one of the goals of NIH to integrate “omic” datasets.
Our long-term goal is to develop therapeutic countermeasures to restore health following growth restriction. In order to take
the first step towards completing our long-term goal we will test the hypothesis: The Gut-Liver metabolic axis is disrupted
in growth restricted mice due to changes in host microbiota and bile acid metabolism which contributes to the
development of chronic disease through disruption of early nutrient adsorption leading to functional impairment.
We will evaluate this hypotheses with the following aims:
Aim 1: Determine the microbial and metabolite variation and associated liver metabolism in growth restricted mice
from birth to adulthood compared to healthy controls.
Aim 2: Determine the effects of growth restriction on bile acid synthesis and organ growth.
We have assembled a collaborative research team experienced in the proposed techniques and have already collected
samples that are ready for analysis. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of successfully completing this project in the allotted
timeframe. We will determine causal relationships between the gut microbiome and metabolome allowing for future targeted
interventions to restore functional capacity in the growth restricted population. Following this we are poised to seek R01
funding to evaluate the therapeutic countermeasures for the mechanisms determined in this application.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10127219
- **Project number:** 1R03HD101654-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** David Paul Ferguson
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $78,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10127219

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10127219, Determination of the Microbiome of Growth Restricted Mice (1R03HD101654-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10127219. Licensed CC0.

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