Ultrasound imaging to see and measure body fat cell structure
In-vivo Characterization of White Adipose Tissue with Quantitative Ultrasound
New ultrasound techniques are being developed to measure fat-cell size and organization noninvasively for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249683 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to create an ultrasound scan that can map the tiny structure of white body fat without needing a biopsy. The team will use quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to estimate fat cell size, number density, and how cells are arranged, and will compare those measurements to blood markers and tissue samples when available. Work will be done in living people (in vivo) to validate that the ultrasound measurements reflect actual tissue microstructure. The goal is to detect and monitor local and whole-body fat dysfunction that can relate to diabetes and other nearby diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes or people with conditions that may affect nearby fat tissue who can travel to New York for imaging and possible blood draw or biopsy.
Not a fit: People without type 2 diabetes or those unable or unwilling to undergo imaging, blood draws, or occasional biopsy are less likely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a quick, noninvasive way to detect and monitor unhealthy changes in fat tissue linked to diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel application: related quantitative ultrasound methods have shown promise in other tissues, but noninvasive imaging of fat-cell microstructure has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoerig, Cameron — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Hoerig, Cameron
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.