A new molecule that helps muscle strength and metabolism

Identifying a novel player in skeletal muscle performance and metabolism

NIH-funded research Ohio University Athens · NIH-11286834

This project is finding out if a protein called FSP27 helps muscles work better and improves insulin control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio University Athens NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Athens, United States)
Project IDNIH-11286834 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will study how FSP27 affects muscle performance by using specially engineered mice that carry the human version of the protein and by comparing those results with human muscle data. They will measure muscle strength, endurance, and how muscle cells use stored fat and respond to insulin. The team will collect human muscle samples and exercise-related measurements to link laboratory findings to people. Together these steps aim to show whether muscle FSP27 could be a target to improve muscle function and blood sugar control.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 diabetes who are willing to undergo exercise testing and provide muscle samples for research.

Not a fit: People without type 2 diabetes or those unwilling to participate in muscle testing or biopsies are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to improve muscle strength and insulin control for people with type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Early human correlations and mouse knockout data link FSP27 to muscle fitness, but using muscle-targeted FSP27 to improve strength and insulin action is a new approach not yet proven in people.

Where this research is happening

Athens, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.