How the Placenta Connects Diabetes in Mothers and Their Children
Official title: Roles of Placental Mitochondria in the Vicious Cycle of Diabetes and Pregnancy
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11124188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how changes in the placenta during pregnancy might link gestational diabetes in mothers to type 2 diabetes in their children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $154,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16HD116702-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is particularly relevant for women who have experienced gestational diabetes and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a history of gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
What this research studies
We know that gestational diabetes can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes for both mothers and their children, creating a cycle that passes through generations. This project looks at tiny powerhouses in the placenta, called mitochondria, and a specific protein named BNIP3, to see if they play a key role in this process. By studying these factors, we hope to understand how problems with placental function might lead to gestational diabetes and affect a child's future risk of type 2 diabetes. This could help us find new ways to break this cycle and improve health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or manage gestational diabetes and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in future generations.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds upon previous work, suggesting some foundational understanding, but the specific role of BNIP3 in placental mitophagy for GDM and T2D programming is being investigated further.
Where this research is happening
-
Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Haijun — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Gao, Haijun
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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.