NIH-funded research R21 grant

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hershey, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$254,021
NIH project number1R21HL184313-01A1
Project IDNIH-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

  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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.