Understanding how genes and diet interact to affect diabetes risk
Improved detection of gene-diet interactions via longitudinal data, metabolomic proxies, and polygenic scores
This study is looking at how your unique genes might change the way your diet affects your chances of getting diabetes as an adult, so we can create better, personalized nutrition advice for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11081668 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how individual genetic differences influence the way dietary factors affect the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes. By using advanced techniques such as longitudinal dietary assessments and metabolomic data, the study aims to identify specific gene-diet interactions that can inform personalized nutrition recommendations. Participants will provide dietary information over time, and their genetic data will be analyzed to uncover how these factors work together to impact metabolic health. The goal is to enhance the precision of dietary guidelines to better prevent diabetes in at-risk individuals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for adult-onset diabetes, particularly those with a family history of the condition or specific genetic markers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a genetic predisposition to diabetes or those who are not at risk for the condition may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized dietary recommendations that significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes based on an individual's genetic makeup.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic and dietary data to improve health outcomes, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Westerman, Kenneth E — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Westerman, Kenneth E
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.