How insulin signaling in the liver affects glucose and fat metabolism
Official title: Anatomical Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism by Insulin Signaling in Hepatocytes
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11092221 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the liver help control sugar and fat levels in the body, which is important for people with diabetes and obesity, to find better ways to treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $469,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133388-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092221 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with adult-onset diabetes or those at risk of developing metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with metabolic conditions unrelated to insulin signaling or those with acute liver diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how insulin signaling in different regions of the liver influences the body's ability to manage glucose and fat levels. By using advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and specific mouse models, the study aims to understand the unique roles of various liver cells in regulating metabolism during fasting and after meals. This could lead to new insights into how liver function is affected in conditions like diabetes and obesity, ultimately aiming to improve treatment strategies for these diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diabetes and obesity by targeting specific liver functions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding liver metabolism, but this approach focusing on anatomical differences in insulin signaling is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tao, Rongya — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tao, Rongya
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.