Research & Awards
Research & Awards
Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is one of the most promising areas of science today. Researchers are currently investigating how to manipulate the gut microbiome to treat disease and improve human health.
AGA publishes the first comprehensive evidence-based guideline on the use of FMT
Gastro paper: Here’s what is needed to advance microbiome therapeutics
CDI is one of the top five urgent public health threats. AGA conducted a survey to learn how clinicians across specialties are currently caring for patients with CDI and how they expect gut microbial therapies to impact care in the years to come. We’re sharing these results to aid clinicians and communities in developing strategies to improve the care and quality of life of patients with CDI.
AGA-funded microbiome research
2024 AGA Research Scholar Award recipients
Patients with cirrhosis of the liver are at high risk of disseminated infection, with mortality rates reaching 50%. While many infectious complications of cirrhosis are thought to originate from the gut microbiota, the mechanisms that mediate disseminated infections remain poorly understood. My goal in this project is to determine the mechanisms by which pathogens cause infections from the gut microbiota through mouse modeling and patient samples.
Our gut microbiome influences how we eat. Some people display a type of disordered eating called Loss of Control Eating, the subjective feeling of not being able to control how much one eats regardless of how much one has already eaten. We found a number of gut microbes that are diminished or missing in people with Loss of Control eating, and our research program is now dedicated to understanding how these microbes might protect against this type of eating behavior that can lead to obesity and metabolic disease.
Microbiome news, resources & education
Microbiome Minute
Welcome to a new series where experts break down the most interesting research developments in the space with 1-minute summaries.
Nutrition and probiotics
These resources address our current understanding of the interplay between nutrition and the gut microbiome, and what it all may mean for human health and disease.
After conducting a detailed review of available literature, AGA released clinical guidelines finding that for most digestive conditions there is not enough evidence to support the use of probiotics.
The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education responds to new probiotics research.
Share these resources with your patients to help them understand probiotics: what they do, who they are right for, how to choose them and safety information.
Fecal microbiota-based therapies
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the proof-of-concept for all microbiome-targeting therapies currently in development. These resources cover the current state of evidence for FMT and provide guidance on how to incorporate FMT into your practice.
This AGA guideline, published in March 2024, covers the use of conventional fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), performed most commonly via colonoscopy, as well as FDA-approved therapies such as REBYOTA and VOWST.
On Nov. 30, 2022, FDA approved the first fecal microbiota therapy for recurrent CDI, Rebyota®. FDA also issued new requirements for stool banks and health care professionals using FMT material.
Published in Gastroenterology, the registry reported that FMT led to a cure of C. difficile infection in 90 percent of patients across 20 North American FMT practice sites. Few serious side effects were reported.
In CGH, Dr. Colleen R. Kelly and colleagues provide guidance to researchers on the preparation and submission of investigational new drug (IND) applications to study FMT.
In Gastroenterology, Dr. Colleen R. Kelly and colleagues discuss indications, methodologies, mechanisms and outlook on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
Share this webpage with your patients to help them understand FMT as a treatment option for recurring C. difficile infection.
Follow these guidelines to properly code and bill private payors and Medicare for fecal microbiota transplant (FMT).
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