Understanding Fat Tissue Changes for Better Metabolic Health
Official title: Post-translational control of adipose tissue remodeling and metabolic health
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11132818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how fat tissue can be changed to improve overall metabolic health, especially for people with conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $516,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK127575-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is aimed at eventually helping individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes who could benefit from improved metabolic function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options will not directly benefit from this basic science research.
What this research studies
Our bodies have different types of fat, and one type, called brown fat, can help burn calories and improve how our body handles sugar and insulin. This process, sometimes called "fat browning," is linked to better metabolic health. We know that certain things can activate brown fat, but these often come with unwanted side effects. This project aims to discover new, safer ways to encourage fat browning, which could lead to better treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes without the current drawbacks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and safer ways to improve metabolic health and treat conditions like type 2 diabetes by targeting fat tissue.
How similar studies have gone: While the general concept of brown fat activation for metabolic health is known, this project focuses on identifying a previously uncharacterized pathway, suggesting a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kajimura, Shingo — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kajimura, Shingo
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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.