Award
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 5R01ES032037-05
Defining the Harmful Effects of Microplastics on Gastrointestinal Health
Recipient
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Award Amount
$370,181.00
Ceiling
$370,181.00
Awarded
June 23, 2026
Identifier
5R01ES032037-05
Research project funded by NIEHS to study the effects of microplastics on gastrointestinal health, including impacts on gut microbiota and inflammation, using zebrafish and human colonoid models.
Description
This project investigates the impact of microplastics (MP) on gastrointestinal health, focusing on how MP affects gut microbiota, intestinal epithelium, and immune responses. The study aims to understand the mechanisms by which MP induces cellular changes leading to increased intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and inflammation, especially in susceptible populations such as individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The research involves in vivo models, including zebrafish, and human colonoids derived from healthy and IBD patients.