Transgenerational epigenetic effects on thyroid and metabolism in adults
Official title: Transgenerational epigenetic programming of the thyroid axis
Funded at Mainehealth · NIH-11357649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term NIH grant is studying how epigenetic changes passed from parents may influence obesity, thyroid problems, and type 2 diabetes in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mainehealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2012 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $730,808 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK095908-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for obesity, thyroid disorders, or type 2 diabetes, and their children or offspring who might be affected by inherited epigenetic changes.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a family history or risk factors related to thyroid-related metabolic disorders may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how environmental factors could shape epigenetic information that is inherited across generations and contributes to endocrine diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. It uses a mouse model to investigate a father’s thyroid condition and how it might affect energy balance, insulin signaling, and related hormonal systems in offspring. The researchers aim to map how these epigenetic changes impact the thyroid axis, appetite regulation, and glucose metabolism, with attention to differences between males and females. The study combines animal experiments with analyses that could inform our understanding of human risks and potential interventions in families affected by thyroid-related metabolic disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could illuminate mechanisms behind familial risks for obesity and diabetes and point to new strategies for prevention or treatment based on inherited epigenetic factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in animals suggests epigenetic transmission can influence metabolic health, but human relevance is still being explored; this project extends that work.
Where this research is happening
-
Mainehealth
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Arturo — Mainehealth
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Arturo
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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.