Investigating how alcohol affects liver cell function
Official title: BLR&D Research Career Scientist Award
Funded at Omaha VA Medical Center · NIH-11051982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects liver cells and their ability to handle proteins, especially for veterans who may struggle with alcohol use, to find ways to help protect their livers from damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Omaha VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2019 |
| Project end | September 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 2IK6BX004853-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol use or those suffering from alcohol-related liver conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no liver-related health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how exposure to ethanol disrupts the function of the Golgi apparatus in liver cells, which is crucial for processing and transporting proteins. The study aims to identify how these disruptions contribute to alcohol-related liver diseases, particularly in the Veteran population, where alcohol abuse is prevalent. By examining the role of a specific protein, Rab3D, the research seeks to uncover potential targets for intervention to mitigate liver damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating alcohol-related liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cellular mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver injury, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Omaha VA Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Casey, Carol a. — Omaha VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Casey, Carol a.
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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.