Harnessing milk cells to support healthy metabolism
Official title: Harnessing Cells from Human Milk; Linking Lactation to Metabolism
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11361609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using cells from human milk to understand how lactation affects metabolism, with the goal of helping mothers with obesity or diabetes have better lactation outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD107496-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women who are obese or have diabetes and are lactating or planning to lactate may benefit from the insights of this research.
✕Less likely to help
The study focuses on cellular mechanisms and may not directly translate to immediate patient care for all participants.
What this research studies
Researchers will study milk-derived mammary cells to learn how lactation interacts with insulin signaling and metabolism. By using single-cell RNA sequencing and cell-sorting, they aim to uncover molecular mechanisms that link lactation to long-term metabolic health. The findings could point to interventions that improve lactation success for women who are overweight or have diabetes, ultimately benefiting both mothers and children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to improve lactation and metabolic health in mothers with obesity or diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows milk-derived mammary epithelial cells resemble lactating mammary tissue and can reflect lactation biology; this study builds on that concept.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin Carli, Jayne Frances — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Martin Carli, Jayne Frances
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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.