How liver cell organization affects metabolism and disease
Official title: Metabolic consequences of zonal defects in gluconeogenesis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11069946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the arrangement of liver cells affects their important jobs, like making sugar and breaking down toxins, to help us understand more about Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a, a condition that can cause serious health problems in newborns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $39,959 |
| NIH project number | 1F30DK142444-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include newborns diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a and adults with related liver conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases unrelated to metabolic zonation or those without GSD1a may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the spatial organization of liver cells, known as metabolic zonation, impacts their ability to perform essential functions like glucose production and toxin breakdown. By using innovative mouse models, the study aims to selectively inhibit specific metabolic processes in different liver zones to understand their role in diseases such as Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a (GSD1a). This condition, which affects newborns, leads to serious health issues including low blood sugar and liver tumors. The findings could provide insights into how liver diseases develop and progress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients with liver diseases, particularly those with GSD1a.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding liver zonation and its implications for metabolic diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Roger Jie — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liang, Roger Jie
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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.