Genetic clues to lipid subfractions across ages and environments
Official title: Integrative Dissection of the Genetic Basis for Lipid Subfractions Across Age Groups and Environment
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11451932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A one-year-old and older children’s lipids are studied to understand how genes shape tiny fat particles in the blood over time and in different settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $254,021 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HL184313-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young people whose lipid profiles or family history suggest higher cardiovascular risk may indirectly benefit as the science advances.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals with no family history or risk factors for lipid disorders may have limited personal benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genetic differences influence the small particles that carry fats in the blood, and whether age and environment change these effects. Researchers will combine clinical lipid measurements with genetic data to uncover how lipid subfractions vary across ages. The work aims to improve our understanding of cardiovascular risk beyond standard cholesterol tests, using existing large datasets and targeted analyses. The findings could inform future studies on personalized risk for heart disease and related conditions starting in early life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better insight into how genetics affect lipid subfractions could lead to earlier and more precise strategies to prevent heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked lipid subfractions to cardiovascular risk, but many findings require larger samples and age-specific analyses to be clinically actionable.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Dajiang — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Liu, Dajiang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.