Award
NIH Reporter #PA-23-272
Investigating the influence of human milk oligosaccharides on bacterial-immune dynamics in the gravid vaginal tract
Recipient
HOLLY BRANTHOOVER
Award Amount
$50,114.00
Ceiling
$50,114.00
Awarded
July 24, 2026
Identifier
PA-23-272
NICHD awarded $50,114 for research on how human milk oligosaccharides affect the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy, aiming to find antibiotic alternatives. The project runs from 2025 to 2028 and includes training at Baylor College of Medicine.
Description
This project aims to explore how human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) influence the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy and their potential as alternatives to antibiotics for limiting pathogen colonization. The research involves vaginal swabs, mini-bioreactor arrays, human vaginal epithelial organoids, and gravid humanized microbiota mice. The project is funded by NICHD with a total award amount of $50,114 for the fiscal year 2026. The project duration is from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2028. The applicant will receive training in organoids, animal models, and microbiome analyses at Baylor College of Medicine.