Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 1R01AI194527-01A1
Investigating the nonlinear complex dynamics of the tuft cell-microbiome cross-talk: the impact of feedback loops on immune regulation, microbial modulation and response to tissue insults
Recipient
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, MA
Award Amount
$836,691.00
Ceiling
$836,691.00
Awarded
June 17, 2026
Identifier
1R01AI194527-01A1
This NIH-funded project investigates the complex feedback loops between tuft cells, microbiome, and immune regulation in the colon. Using mathematical modeling and experimental validation, it aims to understand how these interactions influence intestinal resilience and inflammation, ultimately informing microbiome-targeted therapies.
Description
Tuft cells (TCs) are specialized chemosensory epithelial cells that regulate intestinal homeostasis. This project aims to develop a multi-layered systems framework combining mathematical modeling and experimental validation to explore epithelial–immune–microbial feedbacks shaping intestinal resilience or breakdown in colonic infection and inflammation. The study integrates computational modeling, human colonic organoids, and mouse models to generate interoperable models predicting intestinal outcomes and informing therapeutic strategies for microbiome-targeted interventions.