NeoMiniGut Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
NeoMiniGut Study: Growing organoids from neonatal tissue
IRAS ID
292878
Contact name
K Le Doare
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Reducing neonatal mortality is a global health priority with >100,000 babies dying during the first month of life every year due to neonatal infections. Understanding how a baby’s gut responds to bacterial infections would help us understand how bacteria and the immune system interact and how we can use breastmilk to protect against infections.
A new technology called ‘Organoids’ may allow us to more effectively model how infections occur in babies' guts. These models can be formed by collecting cells from tissue that is collected from the lining of the gut from children who are having bowel operations. Having a laboratory model that mimics a baby’s gut means we can better understand how infections spread and how they can be stopped without having to involve young children in research.
Our project aims to better understand the immune system of newborn babies by developing this laboratory model that allows us to study how bacteria cause infection, interact with the immune system and show how breast and donor milk may help prevent infections in young children. The results may help guide the future management and treatment of babies at risk of these infections and the complications associated with them.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0408
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion