How the intestine handles fats and affects body weight
Lipid transport in the intestine
This work explores how specific proteins in your gut manage the fats you eat and influence your body's energy balance and weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091542 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have special proteins in the intestine, called FABP1 and FABP2, that help process the fats from our diet. We are learning that these two proteins, while similar, have different jobs in how your gut takes up and uses fats. This project uses advanced techniques and studies in animal models to understand how these proteins not only handle fats but also play a unique role in controlling your overall energy and weight. We are particularly interested in how they communicate with other gut cells that release hormones affecting appetite and metabolism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals with obesity or metabolic disorders in the future by uncovering new biological mechanisms.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention for their conditions would not receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how our bodies regulate weight and energy, potentially opening new avenues for addressing obesity and metabolic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team and others has already shown distinct functions for these proteins and their involvement in intestinal lipid uptake and energy regulation.
Where this research is happening
Piscataway, United States
- Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. — Piscataway, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Storch, Judith — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Storch, Judith
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.