How obesity in pregnancy affects the metabolism of offspring
Official title: Mitochondria mediated changes in obese pregnancies
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11057293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight during pregnancy might affect the health of babies by changing how their cells work, and it aims to find out if certain treatments can help prevent weight problems in their future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $601,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113889-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who are classified as obese and are interested in understanding the implications of their condition on their offspring's health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have a normal weight may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how maternal obesity impacts mitochondrial function in the offspring, which may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome later in life. The study focuses on the role of extracellular vesicles produced by adipose tissue during pregnancy, which may carry damaged mitochondrial components to the developing embryo. By using a murine model, researchers will explore how these vesicles influence metabolic health in male embryos and their offspring. The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms behind these changes and how antioxidant treatment during pregnancy might prevent obesity in the next generation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing obesity and metabolic disorders in children born to obese mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that maternal obesity can negatively affect offspring health, but the specific mechanisms involving mitochondrial function and extracellular vesicles are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simmons, Rebecca a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Simmons, Rebecca a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adipome biomarkers in obese TNBC mice for targeted therapy
A study in mice explores how fat-derived particles called adipomes influence an aggressive breast cancer type, with the goal of guiding personalized therapies.
-
Metabolic-driven stem cells and inflammatory niches in early-onset colorectal cancer
Researchers are studying how metabolic changes from obesity and diet may fuel early-onset colorectal cancer by linking stem cell biology and inflammation in patients.
-
Improving awareness of heart disease risks in women through a career enhancement program
A national program helps trained researchers learn how sex and age factors affect blood pressure and heart disease in women, with a focus on communities in Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
-
ROAR: Leading Awareness on Women’s Hypertension in Rural, Obese, At-Risk Populations
A nationwide project helps raise awareness about high blood pressure in adult women, especially in rural communities with higher risk, to reduce heart disease risk.
-
ROAR: Raising Awareness of Hypertension in Rural, Obese, At-Risk Women
A patient-friendly program aims to raise awareness about high blood pressure and heart disease in adult women, especially in rural communities and among Black populations.
-
Lipid anti-Inflammatory Mediators in Asthma for Obese Individuals
A study testing a novel lipid-based drug, CXA-10, to help adults with obesity-related asthma breathe better and control their symptoms.
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.