A new research project to better understand how gut microbiota can help infants with iron deficiencies has secured a major funding boost from UK Research and Innovation.
Dr Peter Chivers, from our Department of Biosciences, is working with Professor Lindsay Hall, from the University of Birmingham, on new research to improve understanding of how the ‘good’ bacteria in our gut acquires and uses iron.
The research team hope to find innovative bacterial therapies that can be used together with iron supplement strategies to treat iron deficient anaemia in infants.
This groundbreaking research aims to develop probiotic treatments that can reduce the side effects commonly associated with iron supplements.
The outcomes could revolutionise how we treat iron deficiency in young children, making treatments safer, more effective, and kinder to the gut.
The focus of the research is on harnessing the power of ‘good’ bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium.
By using probiotic supplements to boost 'good' bacteria, researchers believe they can outcompete harmful bacteria for iron in the gut. This could lead to gentler treatments for anaemia, making it easier on babies and young children.
Iron plays a crucial role in bacterial function, but its limited availability in the gastrointestinal tract presents challenges. Bacteria use various molecular mechanisms to acquire iron, but little is known about these systems in beneficial members of the gut microbiota.
Alongside this new grant, PhD student Ayuki Shimpo, funded by a Durham alum in support of research in public health and microbiology, will generate further insights into essential metal nutrients and the gut microbiota.
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