How high fat diets affect gut hormone cells in zebrafish
Official title: Mechanisms of Enteroendocrine Cell Adaptation to High Fat Diet in Zebrafish
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10996187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special gut cells called enteroendocrine cells change when they are exposed to high-fat diets, using tiny zebrafish to see these changes up close, which could help us understand more about conditions like obesity and diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,690 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DK135357-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with obesity or metabolic disorders who may have dysregulated hormone signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have metabolic diseases or conditions related to hormone regulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how enteroendocrine cells (EECs), which are important for regulating metabolism and hormone secretion in the gut, adapt to high fat diets using zebrafish as a model. By observing these cells in real-time through the transparent bodies of larval zebrafish, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that lead to changes in EEC function and morphology when exposed to high fat feeding. The study focuses on understanding the differences in responses among various EEC subtypes, which could provide insights into metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes. This approach allows for a detailed examination of cellular processes that are difficult to study in mammals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing metabolic diseases by targeting EEC function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding EEC function and adaptation in other models, but this specific approach using zebrafish is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morash, Margaret — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Morash, Margaret
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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.