Location: Microbiome and Metabolism Research
Project Number: 6026-10700-001-007-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2023
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
Early life factors (i.e., maternal diet, physical activity, stress, and neonatal diet) play a role in gut microbiota function and lifelong health outcomes. However, the precise mechanisms driving the health outcomes are unknown. The objective is to investigate the impact of the various early life factors on health leveraging clinical studies and animal and in vitro cell culture models.
Approach:
We will investigate the impact of maternal physical activity on mitigating obesity-associated effects on the maternal immune system, microbiota, metabolism, placenta, and infant health. In addition, the impact of deficiency in micronutrients and fruit and vegetable intake by children on their gut microbiota, immune system, and brain will be investigated. Also, we will investigate maternal diet quality and impact of early life stress on the placenta, fetus, and offspring health. Furthermore, we will examine the role of postnatal diet on gut microbiota, immune system, and brain function.