Leptin signaling and the gut–brain connection
A Small Contribution to a Large Problem: Leptin-Signaling and the Gut-Brain Axis
This project aims to learn how leptin signaling links body weight control and the gut microbiome, with relevance for people with obesity or metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171597 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers are mapping how the human leptin receptor assembles and how that signaling interacts with diet and gut microbes. They combine computer molecular simulations, lab-based biophysical and cell experiments, and genetically modified fruit flies to test key ideas. The team plans cryo-electron microscopy and electron microscopy work at the University of Hawaii core to visualize receptor structures. Results are intended to connect molecular details to how diet and microbiome influence energy balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or other disorders of energy balance are most likely to be interested in how this research could eventually lead to new therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to metabolism or weight regulation (for example many cancers, acute infections, or orthopedic injuries) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular targets or pathways to guide future treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked leptin to body weight and the gut microbiome, but solving the detailed receptor assembly and its structural effects is relatively new and not yet proven clinically.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haglund, Ellinor — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Haglund, Ellinor
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.