Genomic imprinting and liver disease risk across ages
Official title: Genomic Imprinting in the Development of NAFLD
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11332755 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Duke University looks at how early-life gene markings may influence the risk of developing metabolic liver disease later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $588,917 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137764-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332755 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for MASLD or with related metabolic conditions, and individuals across diverse ages whose data or samples can contribute to epigenetic profiling.
✕Less likely to help
If you do not have risk factors for MASLD or access to longitudinal epigenetic data, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This research explores how epigenetic marks that are set during development may affect the likelihood of MASLD (formerly NAFLD) as people age. The team will map imprint control regions and study their methylation patterns to understand how these marks relate to liver fat and fibrosis risk. By using human data and models that reflect real-world aging, the project aims to identify markers that could predict MASLD risk long before symptoms appear. The goal is to lay the groundwork for early prevention strategies tailored to individual epigenetic profiles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to early detection and personalized prevention for MASLD based on a person’s imprinting patterns.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have begun linking developmental epigenetic marks to metabolic disease risk, with promising avenues but ongoing validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moylan, Cynthia a — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Moylan, Cynthia a
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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.