Location: Obesity and Metabolism Research
Project Number: 2032-10700-003-032-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Feb 28, 2027
Objective:
Our research encompasses:
1) Determining the cardiometabolic benefits of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight in individuals at risk for metabolic disease, as a key health-promoting recommendation for Americans. 2) Investigating differential responses to macronutrient composition based on liver fat levels, including acute challenge meal protocols in diverse populations and the influence of chronic stress.3)Identifying metabolomic signatures associated with liver fat levels and their interactions with diet, including the effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on liver fat, TMAO, and plasma metabolomic profiles. 4) facilitators and barriers to adherence to recommended diets and the impact on metabolism and disease risk.
Approach:
UC Davis will provide extensive support for preclinical and clinical studies conducted at the WHNRC, supplying essential technical and medical personnel required for human research. This comprehensive team will include a Human Studies manager, research dietitians, metabolic kitchen personnel, and individuals with specialized training in clinical procedures such as phlebotomy, body composition analysis, and exercise physiology. Additionally, Clinical Nurses from the UC Davis Medical Center and recruiters or Clinical Research Coordinators skilled in volunteer recruitment will be available. Some mechanistic studies using model systems such as cells or rodent studies will be led by Project Scientist(s), who make significant and creative contributions to research with a high level of independence. The UC Davis Medical Center will also handle the analysis of blood samples to screen subjects for study eligibility.