Understanding how fat cells contribute to heart and metabolic conditions
Genetics of adipose cell-type expression and cardiometabolic traits
This research aims to understand why some people are more likely to develop heart and metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, focusing on the role of fat cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095867 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people are affected by conditions like type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease, often linked to obesity. We know that genetics play a role in who gets these conditions, and there are differences between populations and sexes. However, we don't fully understand how these genetic differences actually affect our bodies at a cellular level. This project will look closely at fat tissue to see how specific genes influence the behavior of fat cells, which are important for these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients for a clinical trial, but its findings could eventually benefit individuals at risk for or living with cardiometabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or fatty liver disease.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by or at risk for cardiometabolic conditions may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of cardiometabolic diseases, potentially guiding the development of new ways to prevent or treat them.
How similar studies have performed: While large-scale genetic studies have identified many genes linked to these conditions, this project takes a novel approach by focusing on the specific roles of different fat cell types to understand how these genes work.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pajukanta, Paivi — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Pajukanta, Paivi
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.