Huey, Samantha: Travel Grant - 2016-2017

The impact of consuming iron-biofortified pearl millet (Fe+PM) on the gut microbiome and immune function is unknown. Infants in resource-limited areas are at risk for iron deficiency (ID) and have dysfunctional immunity and lowered vaccine efficacy, increasing the risk for infection. In Mumbai, where PM is traditionally eaten, Fe+PM can help alleviate ID, improving immunity. It is clear that the gut influences immune function, and that diet drives gut microbiota; however, these dynamics in early childhood are unexplored. In this study, blood and stool samples from infants consuming either Fe+PM or non-Fe+PM will be analyzed for vaccine response and gut microbiome taxa (respectively) to explore this gap in the literature.