The MIRO II (Microbial Restoration) Study

Project Details

Faecal Microbiota Transplanation (FMT) in Crohn’s Disease: The MIRO II (Microbial Restoration) Study

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are usually treated with drug therapy. While this gets most patients better and keeps them better, some patients do not respond or do not wish to take medicines that suppress their immune system. They will have to live with their condition remaining active and troublesome, while others will require an operation.

A new approach to treatment is emerging, and our team of researchers is at the global forefront of this research.

The bacteria in the gut, which drive the soreness of the bowel in these conditions, can be replaced by gut bacteria from healthy people. We have recently concluded a world-first study - The FOCUS Study using faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT or poo transplant) to treat ulcerative colitis. This study was published in the world’s highest rated medical journal, The Lancet in 2017.

The FOCUS study demonstrated that faecal microbiota transplantation can heal the bowel in some patients, providing a potential alternative to drug therapy.

This research was recently presented at the world’s foremost annual gastroenterology meetings in Europe and the US. It was the highest rated of several thousand presentations.

Parallel scientific FOCUS studies have identified which bacteria in the faecal transplant make this a successful therapy. This work was published in the world’s leading specialist journal, Gastroenterology.

​Our clinicians and scientists are now undertaking The MIRO II Study (Microbial Restoration in Crohn’s Disease) to examine further the efficacy of FMT for treatment and maintenance of disease remission in a range of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Researchers

Professor Michael Kamm – Group Leader

Dr. Chamara Basnayake - Gastroenterologist

Dr Sasha Fehily – Gastroenterologist and PhD Fellow

Dr. Amy Hamilton – Clinical Scientist

Ms. Annalise Stanley – Research Nurse

Ms. Erin Russell – Research Dietitian

Dr. Emily Wright – Gastroenterologist

Dr. Amy Wilson-O’Brien – Clinical Scientist

Collaborators

Dr Sam Costello and Dr Robert Bryant - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide

Professor Mark Morrison – The University of Queensland and The Diamantina Institute, Brisbane

Funding

NHMRC – Dr. Sasha Fehily

NHMRC – Dr. Emily Wright

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helamley Charitable Trust

Research Publications

The gut microbiota and gut disease.

Fehily SR, Basnayake C, Wright EK, Kamm MA.Intern Med J. 2021 Oct;51(10):1594-1604. doi: 10.1111/imj.15520.PMID: 34664371

Fecal microbiota transplantation therapy in Crohn's disease: Systematic review.

Fehily SR, Basnayake C, Wright EK, Kamm MA.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Oct;36(10):2672-2686. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15598. Epub 2021 Jul 6.PMID: 34169565

Research Group

Michael Kamm


School Research Themes



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Medicine

Node

St Vincent's Hospital

MDHS Research library
Explore by researcher, school, project or topic.