Understanding how diet affects fat tissue changes
Official title: Deconstructing the diet-induced remodeling of adipose tissue
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11046504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight affects fat tissue in your body, especially the fat around your organs, to help us understand how new fat cells form and grow, which can lead to health problems like diabetes, so you can learn more about what influences your weight and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 2, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $625,033 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134534-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are experiencing obesity or related metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are underweight or do not have any metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how obesity, caused by excessive caloric intake, leads to changes in fat tissue, particularly in the visceral white adipose tissue. By using advanced techniques like single cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify the different cell types involved in fat tissue expansion and their roles in metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The research focuses on understanding how new fat cells are formed and how existing fat cells grow larger, which can contribute to inflammation and other health issues. Patients may learn more about the biological processes that affect their weight and metabolic health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating obesity-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cellular mechanisms of obesity, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farmer, Stephen Robert — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Farmer, Stephen Robert
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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.