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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center » Microbiome and Metabolism Research » Research » Research Project #444102

Research Project: Impact of Prenatal and Postnatal Factors on Mother and Child Health

Location: Microbiome and Metabolism Research

Project Number: 6026-10700-001-008-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 1, 2023
End Date: May 30, 2028

Objective:
Objective use of funds in support of the ARS unit (intramural research program): 1. This project aims to determine the role of prenatal and early-life dietary factors and the gut microbiota on host health. the overarching goals of the current project are. 1.A. To determine the mechanism of how prenatal factors and early diet affect the development and function of key physiological systems (e.g., metabolism, gut physiology, liver, lungs, brain, kidney, and immune system). 1.B. To understand host-gut microbiota cross-talk. 1.C. To unveil immunomodulatory functions of milk bioactives with and without microbiota. Ultimately, the goal is to investigate prenatal factors such as the impact of maternal obesity on mothers’ immune system and to determine the role of infant diet (i.e human milk or formula) on a child’s health.

Approach:
To achieve these objectives, extensively detailed research plans have been developed, reviewed and approved that encompasses the specific research described below. Research is to be accomplished over a multi-year period as resources are available and as readiness for research and management capabilities develop. These plans address the following research areas and other research studies mutually agreed upon and approved by the Office of Scientific Quality Review: ARS Unit Objectives: Objective 1: Determine the role of prenatal factors on mother’s health. Objective 2: Investigate the role of prenatal factors and postnatal factors on infants’ health.