Understanding how fats affect cell parts and disease
Lipidic drivers of organelle function and dysregulation
This project explores how different types of fats in our cells influence how our cell parts work, especially in conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159834 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Lipids, or fats, are crucial building blocks of our cell membranes, and changes in their makeup are seen in many diseases, including type 2 diabetes. It's been hard to understand exactly how these fats work, but this project uses special genetic and chemical tools to study their roles. Researchers will look at how specific fat changes, like those found in metabolic disorders, affect the function of cell compartments, particularly the mitochondria, which are our cells' powerhouses. This work aims to uncover how these fat changes might directly contribute to problems like mitochondrial dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but it focuses on understanding conditions relevant to adults with metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or clinical trial opportunities would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the fundamental causes of diseases like type 2 diabetes by revealing how changes in cell fats lead to cell dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of lipid research is established, this project applies novel genetic and chemical tools to specifically dissect the functional roles of bulk membrane lipids in cellular compartments, representing a focused and innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Budin, Itay — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Budin, Itay
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.