# Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · 2024 · $2,347,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
In the past few decades, the fields of microbiology and immunology have undergone a renaissance, driven in
part by technological advances establishing that the human 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,
and its regulation by environmental factors, 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 Phase 2 Cobre is to continue to develop and expand our
thematic multidisciplinary research center for the study of the interface between the microbiome, inflammation
and pathogenicity within a framework to develop the careers of junior investigators. 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 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, training,
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, along with whole animal imaging and intravital microscopy. An Administrative Core will
co-ordinate activities and provide additional biostatistical support, along with a Pilot Project program to ensure a
pipeline of investigators. Institutional commitment through a university funded Center will ensure sustainability
of the thematic research program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10795825
- **Project number:** 5P20GM125504-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard J Lamont
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $2,347,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10795825

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10795825, Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity (5P20GM125504-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10795825. Licensed CC0.

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