Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic received a $796,394 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) beginning July 1, 2026, with completion scheduled for April 30, 2030. The award funds research investigating bile acid-dependent intestinal immune regulation, with the primary deliverables consisting of scientific research outputs and empirical findings that advance understanding of how bile acids function as immunoregulatory metabolites in the intestines. The research involves developing integrated methodological approaches to quantify intestinal bile acid pools in mice, characterizing how these pools change during intestinal inflammation, and mapping interactions between bile acids and host intestinal cells and receptors.

The project employs advanced computational modeling and in vivo experimental techniques to examine the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, with particular focus on understanding alterations in bile acid metabolism associated with Crohn's disease-like ileitis. Key research products include quantitative data on bile acid pool dynamics, computational models calibrated to in vivo datasets, and mechanistic insights into how cytokine-driven changes in bile acid absorption transporters contribute to pro-inflammatory intestinal states. These deliverables are intended to inform basic and clinical understanding of bile acid signaling pathways and their role in intestinal immune homeostasis, ultimately contributing to improved prevention and treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases.