Understanding human metabolic types
Official title: "Defining the Human Metabotype" [Human metabolic status defined through genetic, diet,environmental exposure and exercise perturbations]
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11193986 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to map patterns of metabolites in people’s samples to define distinct metabolic “types” linked to diet, exercise, and environmental exposures.
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 start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,746,329 |
| NIH project number | 4U24OD038425-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193986 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who have participated in or could join studies that collect blood or tissue samples and detailed diet/exercise/exposure information, including those with metabolic conditions like obesity or diabetes as well as healthy volunteers.
✕Less likely to help
People whose health concerns are unrelated to metabolism or who cannot provide biospecimens or lifestyle information are less likely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
If I take part or donate data, researchers will combine metabolomics measurements from large NIH projects that collected blood and tissue samples before and after diet, exercise, or exposure changes. They will harmonize those datasets in the Metabolomics Workbench and use analytics to group people into shared metabolic profiles called “metabotypes.” The team compares how these metabotypes change with specific diets, physical activity, or environmental exposures to find patterns that repeat across many people. Results will come from analysis of existing human cohort data and contributed biospecimens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor diet, exercise, and exposure-related recommendations to people’s metabolic profile.
How similar studies have gone: Large NIH efforts have already measured thousands of metabolites in people, but using those data to define clinically useful “metabotypes” is a newer approach that is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramaniam, Shankar — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Subramaniam, Shankar
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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.