Project Grant 20266701745939

Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Nevada, Reno received a $630,500 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310) on February 15, 2026, with a completion date of February 14, 2029. The research project investigates novel dietary fiber sources derived from existing food ingredients such as milk, soybeans, and eggs. Specifically, the project examines N-glycans—complex carbohydrates bound to proteins in food that are not currently measured or labeled as dietary fiber—to determine whether these compounds can replicate the beneficial effects of traditional dietary fiber on the human gut microbiome when separated from their protein origins.

The deliverables include laboratory-based modeling of human gut microbiomes and mouse model experiments to assess whether freed N-glycans functionally interact with the gut microbiome similar to conventional dietary fibers. The project employs advanced microbiome sequencing methods and measurements of microbial metabolism and animal physiology to evaluate the health impacts of N-glycans. Research outcomes will identify which structural properties of N-glycans are most significant for microbiome interactions and determine the viability of incorporating these compounds into conventional foods to enhance dietary fiber intake without altering taste, texture, or stability. This work addresses the documented national health concern of insufficient dietary fiber consumption and its association with chronic disease risk.