# Dietary factors, biomarkers, metabolic pathways related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

> **NIH NIH K22** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2020 · $249,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important risk factor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
disease (CVD). This proposed project will study the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD in
participants of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), a large population-based cohort study (Aim 1). In addition,
this project will examine the whole blood-derived DNA methylation signatures associated with dietary patterns
and NAFLD in FHS participants (Aim 2). Diet related DNA methylation signatures in the liver will be examined
using samples collected from an existing randomized, controlled experimental trial in Ossabaw pigs (Aim 3).
Completion of the proposed project will provide evidence for dietary recommendations designed specifically to
prevent NAFLD. Second, it will identify epigenetic biomarkers of NAFLD and its severity. Third, information
generated from this project will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathways linking diet and
NAFLD, and will serve as a basis for future prevention and treatment strategies.
The candidate, Dr. Jiantao Ma, is currently a postdoctoral fellow at NHLBI’s Population Sciences Branch,
headed by Dr. Daniel Levy. Dr. Levy is also the Director of the FHS and will serve as the primary mentor in Dr.
Ma’s Advisory Committee. The Branch has a longstanding, impressive record of conducting large
epidemiologic studies of CVD and other disease outcomes, and an outstanding track record of successfully
training young investigators. The Advisory Committee also includes two internationally recognized experts in
nutrition and epidemiology, Dr. Frank B. Hu, Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health (HSPH) and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Alice H.
Lichtenstein, Senior Scientist and Director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at Jean Mayer USDA
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and Stanley N. Gershoff Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy
of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Through this K22 Career Transition Award proposal, Dr. Ma seeks to systematically acquire additional
mentored research and career development training at NHLBI. With the support from his Advisory Committee
members, the K22 award will establish a training framework to initiate the research program in preparation for
his independent career. As detailed in the Career Development Plan, new scientific skills that will be acquired
include general training in genomics, techniques regarding data collection and management, and advanced
statistical methods for complex omics data analysis through a combination of specialized coursework and
hands-on training. The scientific training will support Dr. Ma to complete the proposed studies outlined in the
Research Strategy. This will serve as the foundation for Dr. Ma’s future R01 grant and additional independent
funding application upon his transit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9861258
- **Project number:** 5K22HL135075-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Jiantao Ma
- **Activity code:** K22 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $249,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-05 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9861258

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9861258, Dietary factors, biomarkers, metabolic pathways related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (5K22HL135075-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9861258. Licensed CC0.

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