Understanding how exercise changes the body at the molecular level
Official title: MoTrPAC Genomics, Epigenomics and Transcriptomics Chemical Analysis Site
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11532086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study is looking at how starting and maintaining exercise changes gene activity and related biology in adults, using blood, muscle, and fat samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2016 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U24DK112331-08S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older who are part of the MoTrPAC exercise trial or similar ongoing exercise programs and are willing to provide biological samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not participating in exercise trials or not providing biological samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project analyzes RNA from 1,337 samples from adults in a big exercise trial to map how physical activity alters molecular patterns. It builds on a large randomized exercise program where participants were assigned to endurance, resistance, or no exercise, with samples taken before and after workouts. The goal is to connect molecular changes to physical responses, helping us understand why exercise benefits some people more than others. The work complements the main trial by expanding RNA sequencing across the cohort to improve our molecular map of exercise effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: By revealing how exercise reshapes molecular pathways, this research could inform personalized exercise strategies and new targets for improving health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous exercise genomics studies have shown meaningful links between physical activity and molecular changes, though this scale and integration are particularly comprehensive.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sealfon, Stuart C. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sealfon, Stuart C.
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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.