Understanding how menopause affects gene expression in women's tissues
Official title: Transcriptomic signatures of menopause across human tissues
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10805413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how menopause affects the genes in different parts of a woman's body and how these changes might increase the risk of heart problems, helping us understand women's health better during this time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 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 | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $121,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HL167188-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10805413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women aged 21 and older who are experiencing menopause or have recently transitioned through menopause.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are premenopausal or male may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the changes in gene expression that occur in various tissues of women during menopause, particularly focusing on how these changes may contribute to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. By analyzing gene expression data from a large database, the study aims to infer menopausal status and identify molecular processes linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and adiposity. The approach combines advanced data analysis techniques to uncover insights that have been overlooked in previous studies, which primarily focused on reproductive tissues. This research could lead to a better understanding of how menopause impacts women's health and inform future therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the biological mechanisms behind increased cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal women, potentially leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on gene expression related to menopause, this research takes a novel approach by examining a broader range of tissues and utilizing advanced data analysis techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theusch, Elizabeth — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Theusch, Elizabeth
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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.