Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
Official title: Research Project 1 - Hepatocellular Genetic Epidemiology of Fatty Liver Disease in Hispanics
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11421441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $640,989 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HG013247-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with fatty liver disease or at risk due to obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or related factors.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without risk factors or liver disease may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at fatty liver disease (FLD) and its subtypes, focusing on how genetic factors and everyday habits influence risk in adults. Researchers will use patient-derived liver cells to understand responses tied to genetic differences and risk factors like diabetes and obesity. The study aims to identify biomarkers linked to disease risk that could speed up finding personalized prevention and treatment options. The work is anchored at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and involves a deep cellular approach using iPSC-derived hepatocytes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to personalized risk assessment and targeted strategies to prevent or treat fatty liver disease in Hispanic adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work using genetic and cellular profiling has shown promise in linking biomarkers to liver disease risk, but the integration with iPSC-derived hepatocytes is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curran, Joanne E. — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Curran, Joanne E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
-
Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
-
PNPLA3 gene and fatty liver disease risk and protection
A doctor-scientist team is studying why some people develop fatty liver disease and others don’t, focusing on a gene variant called PNPLA3 and how it affects people of different ancestries.
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.