Investigating how a gene variant affects diabetes and liver disease in African Americans
Official title: Role of YY1 in promoting hepatic insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and NAFLD
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11085899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain gene variant affects the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, especially in African American communities, and it invites patients to share their genetic samples or health information to help uncover how this variant influences insulin and sugar processing in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK136596-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American individuals who are at risk for or currently have type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or those without metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of a specific gene variant in the development of type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, particularly in African American populations. The study focuses on how this variant influences insulin resistance and glucose metabolism in the liver. By utilizing advanced genetic techniques, the researchers aim to understand the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these health disparities. Patients may be involved in providing genetic samples or health data to help identify the impact of this variant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that improve metabolic health and reduce the risk of diabetes and liver disease in affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding genetic factors contributing to diabetes and liver disease, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Guisheng — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Song, Guisheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Hepatic insulin resistance linking type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
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-
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Understanding how insulin resistance affects type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
This study is looking at how type 2 diabetes can affect liver health, especially when it comes to fatty liver disease, by testing a sugary diet on mice to find out what happens and how we might help people with these conditions in the future.
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Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
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This study follows young adults whose mothers had gestational diabetes or related conditions to understand how pregnancy health affects their heart and blood vessel health over time.
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Long-term study of NAFLD progression and gut bacteria in diverse groups
We’re following people over time to see how the gut microbiome and diet relate to fatty liver disease progression in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
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.