Inter-organelle communication in lipid metabolism (Atherosclerosis)
Official title: Inter-organelle communication in lipid metabolism
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11405028 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A medical research project is studying how fat particles are made and move inside liver and blood vessels to better prevent heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $537,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180740-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405028 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or at high risk due to lipid abnormalities may eventually benefit from advances informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without atherosclerotic disease or lipid disorders may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This NIH grant explores how lipid processing inside cells influences atherosclerosis, focusing on how very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) packaging and transport relate to plaque build-up. Researchers will use animal models and biochemical methods to uncover how lipid droplets interact with lipoprotein assembly pathways from the ER to the Golgi. The findings could identify new targets to reduce residual cardiovascular risk beyond LDL lowering. The project aims to translate basic biology of lipid metabolism into strategies that could lower ASCVD risk in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches that more effectively prevent or treat atherosclerosis by targeting triglyceride-rich lipoprotein pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked liver lipid handling to lipoprotein production and cardiovascular risk, with ongoing translation from basic biology to therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Bo — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Wang, Bo
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.