Understanding white fat tissue using ultrasound imaging

In-vivo Characterization of White Adipose Tissue with Quantitative Ultrasound

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11056465

This study is looking at how fat tissue in our bodies affects our health and aims to create a new, easy way to use ultrasound to see how healthy that fat tissue is, which could help us understand its role in diseases like cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056465 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on the role of white adipose tissue (WAT) in overall health and how its dysfunction can lead to various diseases. The team aims to develop a non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique to measure the size, density, and organization of fat cells in real-time. By analyzing these characteristics, the research seeks to better understand how local diseases, such as cancer, affect fat tissue and its secretions, which are important for body health. This innovative approach could provide valuable insights into the relationship between fat tissue and systemic health conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with conditions related to obesity, diabetes, or localized diseases affecting adipose tissue.

Not a fit: Patients with no adipose tissue or those not affected by conditions related to adipose tissue dysfunction may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for diagnosing and monitoring diseases related to fat tissue dysfunction.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using quantitative ultrasound for this purpose is innovative, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other areas of medical research.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 2026-06-15 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.