Understanding how vitamin A affects cell growth and development

Short-Chain Dehydrogenases in Retinol/Sterol Metabolism

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10739808

This study is looking at how a form of vitamin A, called all-trans-retinoic acid, helps keep our tissues healthy and working properly in both babies and adults, and it aims to find out what happens when this process goes wrong, which could lead to health issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10739808 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A, in the development and maintenance of tissues in both embryos and adults. It focuses on how RA regulates the expression of numerous genes and maintains its levels within cells to prevent malformations and diseases. The study aims to identify the enzymes involved in the conversion of retinol to retinaldehyde, which is crucial for RA production, and to understand how these processes can fail in disease states. By exploring these mechanisms, the research seeks to provide insights into how RA homeostasis is maintained and how it can be disrupted.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults experiencing conditions related to vitamin A metabolism or developmental disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have any metabolic disorders or conditions related to vitamin A may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating diseases related to vitamin A metabolism.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding vitamin A's role in development and disease, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.