NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Postnatal and Prenatal Base Editing Therapies for Metabolic Diseases

Official title: Postnatal and Prenatal Therapeutic Base Editing for Metabolic Diseases

Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11421631 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant aims to advance genetic medicine that could one day treat metabolic diseases before or after birth using precise genome editing techniques.

More Metabolic Diseases research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hosp of Philadelphia
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$5,455,342
NIH project number3U19NS132301-04S1
Project IDNIH-11421631 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are infants or fetuses diagnosed with genetic metabolic diseases that could be addressed by genome-editing therapies in development.

Less likely to help

Patients without a genetic metabolic condition targeted by the specific base-editing approaches being developed may not benefit.

What this research studies

This program explores how to safely deliver and use base-editing tools to correct genetic problems in living organisms, including efforts to reach fetuses and newborns. It builds on recent successes with CAR-T therapies and blood disease treatments to apply genome editing directly in the body. The work includes studying delivery methods, safety, and effectiveness in animal models as a step toward human trials. The project is centered at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, led by Dr. William H. Peranteau, with a focus on prenatal and postnatal therapeutic strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new treatments that correct genetic causes of metabolic diseases before or shortly after birth, potentially reducing disease burden and improving outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in ex vivo genome editing and limited in vivo attempts, but in utero and somatic editing in humans remains early and experimental.

Where this research is happening

  • Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Peranteau, William H. — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
  • Study coordinator: Peranteau, William H.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Postnatal and Prenatal Base Editing for Metabolic Diseases

    A large NIH grant is funding research to develop gene-editing methods that could treat metabolic diseases before and after birth.

    NIH research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11389343

  • GLP-1 producing engineered probiotics to help manage metabolic diseases

    A research project aims to create probiotic bacteria that constantly deliver GLP-1 to help people with type 2 diabetes and obesity manage their condition.

    NIH research Medosome Biotec, LLC · Alachua, UNITED STATES · NIH-11314389

  • Changing bile acids to help diabetes, fatty liver, and weight problems

    This project is developing medicines that shift bile acid balance in the liver to help adults with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, or obesity.

    NIH research Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · Duarte, United States · NIH-11252541

  • Precise gene editing before or after birth for metabolic diseases

    This project develops precise gene-editing treatments given before birth or soon after to correct genetic metabolic conditions in children.

    NIH research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11145243

  • How a specific bacterium affects fat and metabolism

    This study is looking at a new type of bacteria called Clostridium immunis to see how it might help manage body fat and improve conditions like type 2 diabetes, which could lead to new treatment options for people dealing with these metabolic issues.

    NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11091384

  • Understanding the links between heart, kidney, and metabolic diseases

    This study is looking at how obesity and diabetes can lead to heart and kidney problems, especially for people in Mississippi, and it aims to find new ways to help improve health for those dealing with these issues.

    NIH research University of Mississippi Med Ctr · Jackson, United States · NIH-11033656

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.