Understanding how fat tissue changes affect insulin health
Official title: Dissecting the cellular interplays of adipose tissue remodeling in the regulation of insulin sensitivity
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11374963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant supports a clinician-scientist to explore how fat tissue in adults with obesity influences insulin sensitivity using human data and advanced analyses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $168,340 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK124679-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity who show varying levels of adipose tissue fibrosis and insulin sensitivity and are part of the study cohort.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity-related insulin resistance or those not part of the study cohort may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
A physician-researcher will receive targeted training and mentorship to study how adipose tissue remodeling, including fibrosis and beiging, impacts insulin resistance. The project uses human cohorts and modern “omics” and bioinformatics to map which cell types and pathways drive metabolic changes. The goal is to identify mechanisms linking obesity to diabetes so future therapies can target fat tissue biology. The work combines experimental models with real patient data to uncover how fat tissue signals contribute to blood sugar control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets in adipose tissue to prevent or treat insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: This area has shown that adipose tissue remodeling relates to metabolic health, with emerging evidence supporting the link between fibrosis, beiging, and insulin sensitivity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alba, Diana Lucia — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Alba, Diana Lucia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How clock-watching lifestyle affects fats, blood vessels, and insulin in night-shift workers
This study looks at how being awake and active at night changes lipids in the blood and muscle and what that means for blood vessel function and insulin in adults who work night shifts.
-
How bile acids affect insulin and metabolism in humans
A study using humanized mouse models and human cell systems will explore how a specific group of bile acids (12HBAs) influence insulin signaling and metabolic health in adults.
-
Placental miRNAs and insulin sensitivity in pregnancy
This grant explores whether tiny molecules from the placenta help control how the mother’s body handles insulin during pregnancy, with potential implications for gestational diabetes.
-
Regulation of a new adipokine that improves insulin sensitivity
A scientist-led study will explore how a newly found adipokine called NRN1 helps fat tissue control insulin and glucose in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
-
Understanding how lipids affect blood vessels and insulin in night-shift workers
A study will look at how specific fats circulating in the blood and in tissues relate to blood vessel function and insulin sensitivity in adults who work night shifts.
-
Investigating the effects of metformin and automated insulin delivery on kidney and heart health in youth with Type 1 Diabetes
This study is looking at whether taking metformin along with an automated insulin delivery system can help improve kidney and heart health in young people aged 12-21 with Type 1 Diabetes.
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.