Dr Petra Paiz
Project: "Intestinal Microbiota Transplant (IMT) in recurrent Clostridiodes difficile infections (rCDI).: An investigation into gut-microbiome-metabolome-host-interactions."
F1/F2 Research Awards Winner 2024
Dr Paiz summarises:
“Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, with up to a third of patients experiencing prolonged or recurrent infections. Intestinal microbiota transplant (IMT) has emerged as a treatment for recurrent CDI. IMT has a high success rate in clinical trials. Yet there are problems with IMT. There is little standardisation of production/ ‘dosing’; administration may require invasive routes; there are risks of pathogen transmission to recipients despite optimal donor screening. If we better understand the mechanism behind IMT’s efficacy, or identify specific molecules that drive its success, we can develop better therapies. This project aims at increasing our understanding of those mechanisms. Specifically, we know that IMT works by restoring healthy gut bacteria. This project looks at exactly how IMT restores healthy gut bacteria. Ultimately, this will lay the groundwork for developing better treatments of CDI.”
What did it feel like to win this award?
“It is a real honour to share my work through the 2024 Dr Falk and Guts UK F1/F2 Research Award and be recognised by a charity I hold in the greatest regard. This award gives me an opportunity to share my research findings and expand on my training in science as well as clinical medicine. In the future, I am hoping to combine my passions for research and clinical practice and become an academic clinician. Although I am still early on in my career, I have a true passion for research in the field of gut microbiome and metabolomics.”
Read more about Dr Paiz’ project, focused on the gut, below.
Dr-Falk-GUTS-Awards-Summary-Dr-Petra-Paiz
