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Exploring the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Psychoneurological Symptoms for Children with Solid Tumors

Award Number: R00NR017897
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/29/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2024

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Exploring the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Psychoneurological Symptoms for Children with Solid Tumors - ABSTRACT The human body hosts tens of trillions of microbes, which number is 10 times greater than the number of human body cells. The collection of these human-associated microbes and their genomes is called the “human microbiome”. More than 90% of these microbes live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, representing 500 species on average. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools (e.g., 16S ribosomal RNA or 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics analysis), recent progress has been made to elaborate the critical role that the gut microbiome is playing in human health and disease. A significant disruption (dysbiosis) of the composition and function of the gut microbiome is associated with carcinogenesis, chemotherapeutic metabolism, and treatment-related symptom toxicities. The current state of the science on the gut microbiome in cancer has been only recently starting in animal models and adults and has not been well investigated in children diagnosed and treated for cancer, nor with associations with cancer treatment-related toxicities. This proposed study will explore the hypothesis that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is associated with cancer treatment-related GI and psychoneurological symptoms. In order to test our hypothesis, this K99/R00 proposal will execute three specific aims: Aim 1 will characterize the longitudinal changes of the gut microbiome in children aged 7-18 years with solid tumors as compared with their healthy siblings using 16S rRNA sequencing during the K99 Phase; the R00 Phase will focus on two specific aims: Aim 2 will screen specific microbial species and pathogens in children with cancer and healthy siblings following 16S rRNA gene sequencing using whole- genome shotgun metagenomics analysis; and Aim 3 will examine associations between the gut microbiome and GI and psychoneurological symptoms in children with solid tumors throughout chemotherapy based on a conceptual model of the microbiome-gut-brain axis, using 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics analysis. With respect to my expertise and productive research projects in children with cancer, current and future trainings, research mentoring and motivations, and the very supportive research environment, I will be prepared to lead this proposed project. Our findings will help identify potential biological mechanisms underlying symptoms of cancer treatment, and will lead to potentially precise targets for interventions (e.g., prebiotic and probiotic supplementations). This proposal includes cutting-edge approaches such as 16s rRNA sequencing, big data QIIME 2 analytics and whole-genome shotgun metagenomics with the innovative use in cancer treatment-related GI and psychoneurological symptoms and a testable conceptual microbiome-gut-brain axis framework. In summary, the K99/R00 grant represents a unique opportunity for me to learn new approaches and develop my professional skills to successfully transition into an independent nurse scientist focusing on the biopsychosocial mechanisms (i.e., gut microbiome) of symptom science in pediatric oncology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$1,880 )
2026	2022	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	000	5	10/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$1,880
														Subtotal = -$1,880

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$1,880 )
2025	2022	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	000	5	12/11/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$1,880
														Subtotal = -$1,880

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $241,497 )
2022	2022	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	000	5	7/27/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$241,497
														Subtotal = $241,497

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $275,267 )
2021	2021	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	001	4	7/29/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$245,307
2021	2020	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	000	3	2/11/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$29,960
														Subtotal = $275,267

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $248,999 )
2020	2020	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	000	3	9/3/2020	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$248,999
2020	2020	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	002	3	9/22/2020	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
2020	2020	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Nursing Research	001	3	9/8/2020	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $248,999

Grand Total All Awards = $762,004

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Exploring the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Psychoneurological Symptoms for Children with Solid Tumors

Award Number: R00NR017897

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/29/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2024

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