Understanding fatty liver disease in people with obesity
Multi-omics for obesity-associated liver disease in a high-risk population cohort
This project will collect blood, fat tissue, scans, and health information over time to learn how biological markers link to fatty liver disease in adults from a high-risk South Texas community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180082 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be followed as part of a long-term community cohort where researchers collect blood samples and small abdominal subcutaneous fat biopsies at multiple visits. Providers will do liver scans called transient elastography and simple blood-based fibrosis scores (FIB-4, APRI) over time to track liver health. The team will combine these clinical measures with multi-omics (molecular) analyses of blood and fat to look for patterns tied to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). They will also record cardiometabolic risk factors and non-medical determinants of health to see how biology and social factors together affect liver disease progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort or similar high-risk communities with obesity or cardiometabolic risk factors who can provide blood and adipose tissue samples and attend follow-up visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not have fatty liver-related risk factors, minors, or those unwilling or unable to give tissue samples or return for follow-up visits are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could find biomarkers to predict worsening fatty liver and point to new targets for future treatments or earlier care.
How similar studies have performed: Imaging and blood-marker studies have helped risk-stratify fatty liver before, but using longitudinal multi-omics on blood and fat tissue in high-risk, community-based populations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccormick, Joseph — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Mccormick, Joseph
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.