How the body makes cholesterol in the intestine
Physiological Dissection of the Mevalonate Pathway
['FUNDING_R01'] · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11330182
This project looks at how intestinal cells make cholesterol and how that process affects intestinal stem cells and whole-body cholesterol balance.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11330182 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are using genetically engineered mouse models and human intestinal organoids grown from patient tissue to see how the mevalonate pathway controls cholesterol production in different cell types. They will use CRISPR-based methods to turn genes on or off and watch how that changes cell division, absorption, and cholesterol disposal. The team focuses on intestinal stem cells because these cells divide rapidly and need cholesterol for membrane building. Results will help link cellular cholesterol making to absorption and fecal excretion at the tissue level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with intestinal disorders or abnormal cholesterol metabolism, or individuals willing to donate small intestinal biopsy tissue for organoid growth.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate cholesterol-lowering treatment are unlikely to get direct or immediate medical benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to target cholesterol handling in the gut and eventually lead to treatments that improve cholesterol-related health issues.
How similar studies have performed: Systemic drugs like statins already target the mevalonate pathway, but using CRISPR, mouse genetics, and human organoids to study intestine-specific roles is a more recent and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LAGOR, WILLIAM RAYMOND — BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: LAGOR, WILLIAM RAYMOND
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.