How heat‑producing (thermogenic) fat cells are controlled
Official title: Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of thermogenic adipocyte program
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11323140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at the molecular switches that turn on calorie‑burning fat cells to help people with obesity and related metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 6, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $602,295 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132469-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with obesity, insulin resistance, or other metabolic conditions would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical studies or future therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without metabolic or obesity‑related conditions or those needing immediate medical treatment are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic research in the short term.
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is using modern gene‑editing screens (CRISPR) and chromatin mapping methods to find proteins and DNA features that control brown and beige fat cells. They are following up on a key histone variant called H2A.Z and studying how chromatin folding affects thermogenic genes like UCP1. Work will combine lab studies in cells and model systems with analysis of human‑relevant tissue features to identify targets that could be turned into therapies. The goal is to understand controllable switches that boost the body’s natural energy‑burning fat.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that activate thermogenic fat to increase calorie burning and lower risks of diabetes and heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research links active brown fat to better metabolism and some interventions (cold exposure, beta‑adrenergic stimulation) can activate thermogenesis, but targeting epigenetic regulators like H2A.Z is a newer, less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tseng, Yu-Hua — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Tseng, Yu-Hua
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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.