Mapping Signals from Fat Cells to Understand Diabetes

An Encyclopedia of the Adipose Tissue Secretome to Identify Mediators of Health and Disease

NIH-funded research Rockefeller University · NIH-11140511

This project aims to discover the many signals released by fat cells to understand how they influence conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRockefeller University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140511 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Fat cells do more than store energy; they also send out signals that affect our body's health. When these signals go wrong, it can lead to problems like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This project is creating a complete map of all the different signals that fat cells release, both in healthy states and in conditions like diabetes. By understanding these signals, we hope to find new ways to keep our bodies healthy and address metabolic disorders. This work involves looking at these signals in both laboratory models and in people.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Individuals with or at risk for type 2 diabetes may be considered for future observational components or sample donations.

Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to fat cell signaling or metabolic disorders would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders by targeting specific signals from fat cells.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of fat cell signaling is known, this project aims to create the first comprehensive "encyclopedia" of these signals, making it a novel and foundational effort.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.