How chemical marks on RNA in fat tissue affect metabolism and obesity
Official title: Role of adipose mRNA modifications in metabolic disease
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11292850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether reversible chemical marks on RNA in fat cells change how fat grows and signals, with the aim of helping people with obesity and metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $474,240 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK130111-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11292850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with obesity or metabolic syndrome would be the eventual patient groups most likely to benefit from therapies based on this work, although the current work is preclinical.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without obesity-related metabolic problems, or those seeking immediate clinical treatments, are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-based project.
What this research studies
This project studies a specific RNA modification called m6A in fat (adipose) tissue and how it controls fat cell function and hormone signals. The team uses genetically engineered mice that lack key RNA-modifying proteins in fat cells to see how those changes affect weight gain, adipokine secretion, and whole-body metabolism. They combine molecular lab work on fat cells, sequencing and biochemical assays, and viral delivery tools to modify RNA pathways in adipose tissue. Findings are intended to point to molecular targets that could be tested later in treatments for obesity-related metabolic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular ways to change fat behavior or signals that lead to treatments to prevent or improve obesity and its complications.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies have linked m6A RNA modifications to metabolism, but applying m6A-focused approaches specifically to adipose tissue and obesity is novel and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rui, Liangyou — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Rui, Liangyou
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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.