How parental diet affects the next generation's metabolism
Transgenerational epigenetic regulation by Rlim
This study looks at how what parents eat can affect their children's energy use and health by changing how certain genes work, focusing on male mice to understand these effects better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11039922 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental factors, particularly diet, influence energy metabolism in future generations through epigenetic mechanisms. It focuses on the role of the Rlim gene, which is crucial for regulating gene expression in the reproductive cells of male mice. By using genetic models, the study aims to uncover how signals like small RNAs and DNA methylation are regulated and passed down to offspring. The findings could provide insights into how parental health and diet can affect the metabolic health of their children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of diet-related obesity or metabolic disorders, particularly those who are planning to conceive.
Not a fit: Patients who are not planning to have children or those without a family history of metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing diet-related obesity and metabolic disorders in future generations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding epigenetic inheritance, but this specific approach focusing on the Rlim gene is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bach, Ingolf M — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Bach, Ingolf M
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 below.