How the body makes and moves fats
Structure and regulation of lipid metabolism and transport
This project looks at how enzymes and transport proteins that make and move fats work and how that relates to heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144439 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are examining the shapes and controls of proteins that make and move fats to understand why fat metabolism sometimes goes wrong. They use lab techniques that determine protein structures and test how proteins and lipids interact, often with biochemical assays and cell-based experiments. These molecular findings help explain processes linked to heart disease, certain cancers, obesity, and diabetes and could point to new targets for treatments. The work is done at Stony Brook University and builds on earlier discoveries of key protein structures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions tied to lipid metabolism—such as certain cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, obesity, or diabetes—would be most directly relevant to this research and to future studies that might arise from it.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to lipid metabolism or who need immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic laboratory research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for drugs or treatments that improve heart disease, cancer, obesity, or diabetes related to lipid metabolism.
How similar studies have performed: Related structural and biochemical studies have already revealed important mechanisms for these enzymes and helped identify potential intervention points, but translating those findings into therapies is still early.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Airola, Michael Virgil — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Airola, Michael Virgil
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.