# Exploring the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Psychoneurological Symptoms for Children with Solid Tumors

> **NIH NIH R00** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $248,999

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The human body hosts tens of trillions of microbes, which number is 10 times greater than the number of human body
cells. The collection of these human-associated microbes and their genomes is called the “human microbiome”. More than
90% of these microbes live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, representing 500 species on average. With the development
of high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools (e.g., 16S ribosomal RNA or 16S rRNA sequencing
and shotgun metagenomics analysis), recent progress has been made to elaborate the critical role that the gut microbiome
is playing in human health and disease. A significant disruption (dysbiosis) of the composition and function of the gut
microbiome is associated with carcinogenesis, chemotherapeutic metabolism, and treatment-related symptom toxicities.
The current state of the science on the gut microbiome in cancer has been only recently starting in animal models and
adults and has not been well investigated in children diagnosed and treated for cancer, nor with associations with cancer
treatment-related toxicities. This proposed study will explore the hypothesis that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is
associated with cancer treatment-related GI and psychoneurological symptoms. In order to test our hypothesis, this
K99/R00 proposal will execute three specific aims: Aim 1 will characterize the longitudinal changes of the gut
microbiome in children aged 7-18 years with solid tumors as compared with their healthy siblings using 16S rRNA
sequencing during the K99 Phase; the R00 Phase will focus on two specific aims: Aim 2 will screen specific microbial
species and pathogens in children with cancer and healthy siblings following 16S rRNA gene sequencing using whole-
genome shotgun metagenomics analysis; and Aim 3 will examine associations between the gut microbiome and GI and
psychoneurological symptoms in children with solid tumors throughout chemotherapy based on a conceptual model of
the microbiome-gut-brain axis, using 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics analysis. With respect to my
expertise and productive research projects in children with cancer, current and future trainings, research mentoring and
motivations, and the very supportive research environment, I will be prepared to lead this proposed project. Our findings
will help identify potential biological mechanisms underlying symptoms of cancer treatment, and will lead to
potentially precise targets for interventions (e.g., prebiotic and probiotic supplementations). This proposal includes
cutting-edge approaches such as 16s rRNA sequencing, big data QIIME 2 analytics and whole-genome shotgun
metagenomics with the innovative use in cancer treatment-related GI and psychoneurological symptoms and a testable
conceptual microbiome-gut-brain axis framework. In summary, the K99/R00 grant represents a unique opportunity for
me to learn new approaches and develop my professional skills to successfully transition into a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241684
- **Project number:** 4R00NR017897-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jinbing Bai
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $248,999
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2018-08-29 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241684

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241684, Exploring the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Psychoneurological Symptoms for Children with Solid Tumors (4R00NR017897-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241684. Licensed CC0.

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