Award
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 5F31HD117458-02
Investigating the influence of human milk oligosaccharides on bacterial-immune dynamics in the gravid vaginal tract
Recipient
Baylor College of Medicine
Award Amount
$50,114.00
Ceiling
$50,114.00
Awarded
July 24, 2026
Identifier
5F31HD117458-02
The award funds research on the effects of human milk oligosaccharides on the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy to explore alternative therapeutics to antibiotics for limiting pathogen colonization.
Description
This project investigates if human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) can impact the vaginal microenvironment during pregnancy and promote a health-associated vaginal microbiome, supporting the transfer of an optimal microbiome to the infant. The study aims to identify utilization of HMOs by vaginal bacteria and the impact of HMO supplementation on vaginal microbial communities, and to investigate the potential of exogenous HMOs to confer a health-associated state on the vaginal microenvironment.