How bile acids affect insulin and metabolism in humans
Official title: Bile acid composition and insulin sensitivity
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11391045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using humanized mouse models and human cell systems will explore how a specific group of bile acids (12HBAs) influence insulin signaling and metabolic health in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $640,435 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK115825-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with metabolic issues related to insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome could benefit from future therapies developed from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those without metabolic concerns may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the composition of bile acids, especially 12HBAs, shapes glucose and lipid metabolism. Researchers will use humanized mice to mimic human bile acid profiles and study effects in liver, intestine, and fat tissue, plus ex vivo and cell-based experiments to pinpoint direct cellular actions. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms by which bile acid composition controls metabolic balance and to inform future therapies that lower harmful bile acid patterns. The work combines in vivo models with human-relevant systems to translate findings toward metabolic disease treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to treat metabolic diseases by targeting bile acid composition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that bile acid composition can influence metabolism, with translational models now allowing closer study of human-relevant mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haeusler, Rebecca Anne — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Haeusler, Rebecca Anne
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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.