# Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · 2022 · $2,135,660

## Abstract

In the past few decades, the fields of microbiology and immunology have undergone a renaissance, driven in
part by technological advances which have shaped our understanding of microbes as components of complex,
polymicrobial, interactive communities. This microbiome can play a role in a number of fundamental aspects of
human health and disease, in many instances through the interface with host innate immunity. The immune
system functions to restrict the potential for damage caused by the microbiota while simultaneously minimizing
destructive inflammatory responses. Disruption of the intensity, duration or physical location of inflammation,
however, can contribute to disease. Advances in our understanding of the microbiome, along with a realization
that inflammatory processes are at the core of a number of common diseases, necessitates a cross-disciplinary
perspective that accommodates the host-microbe interaction in toto. The major goal of this COBRE is to
establish a thematic multidisciplinary research center for the study of the interface between the microbiome,
inflammation and pathogenicity. We have assembled a team of junior investigators with complementary
expertise and outstanding potential, and have partnered these project leaders with well-qualified and dedicated
mentors. An integrated set of complementary projects will make novel connections between inflammatory
processes and bacterial pathogenicity, and establish the basis for the development of novel therapeutics and
delivery methods. We will create a multidisciplinary program in research, education, mentoring and career
development that will facilitate and accelerate the transition of junior faculty to independent extramural funded
status. Research will be support by a Functional Microbiomics Core that will provide germ free animal facilities,
anaerobic culture capability, microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics, assay of inflammatory markers, and
pathology services. An Administrative Core will co-ordinate activities and provide additional biostatistical and
bioimaging support, along with a Pilot Project program to ensure a pipeline of investigators. Institutional
commitment will also help ensure long term sustainability of the thematic research program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10349566
- **Project number:** 5P20GM125504-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard J Lamont
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $2,135,660
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10349566

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10349566, Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity (5P20GM125504-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10349566. Licensed CC0.

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