RNA chemical changes linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes
Epitranscriptomics in human obesity and type 2 diabetes
Researchers will map chemical tags on RNA from people with obesity and type 2 diabetes to better understand signals that control metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126869 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will map chemical modifications on messenger RNAs and chromatin-associated regulatory RNAs in metabolic tissues from people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers will collect and integrate real patient data and samples, including blood, adipose tissue, islets, liver, and muscle where available, then apply sequencing methods such as ATAC-seq and RNA modification profiling. They will build a searchable database linking RNA and chromatin changes to gene regulation and metabolic measures using systems biology and computational analyses. The work combines human biospecimens, high-throughput genomics, and bioinformatics to identify regulatory pathways that could be targeted for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes who are willing to provide clinical information and biological samples, such as blood or tissue biopsies, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without obesity or diabetes, or those unwilling or unable to provide samples or attend clinical visits, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or biomarkers that lead to better treatments or diagnostics for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies suggest RNA modifications can influence metabolic gene control, but applying epitranscriptomics to human obesity and type 2 diabetes is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Joslin Diabetes Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kulkarni, Rohit N. — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Kulkarni, Rohit N.
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.