Georgia State Obesity Treatment Grant – $25,000
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Georgia State Researcher Receives $25,000 Grant to Combat Obesity and Diabetes
Chong Hyun Shin, research associate professor at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University, has been awarded a $25,000 grant to investigate new treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders. The funding comes from the georgia Research Alliance (GRA), as reported by News Medical on September 22, 2023.
Shin’s research focuses on developing orally active small molecules that improve metabolic outcomes without suppressing appetite or reducing lean muscle mass. The project aims to identify a drug prototype that promotes energy expenditure, lowers blood sugar, and supports healthy weight loss alongside potential diabetes remission.
Research Approach and Goals
The research will involve synthesizing and testing new small molecule analogs. Shin’s team will prioritize identifying a drug delivery method that maximizes effectiveness. Subsequent studies will be conducted using obese and diabetic mouse models. The goal is to engineer small molecule leads with enhanced potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties (how the body processes the drug), and pharmacodynamic effects (how the drug affects the body).
According to Shin, the project’s ultimate aim is to “determine the therapeutic potential of a unique orally active small molecule yielding improved metabolic outcomes with negligible impact on appetite and lean mass.” He further stated the project will identify a drug prototype that “elicits strong energy expending and anti-hyperglycemic effect as well as lean mass maintaining capacity, for metabolically healthy weight reduction accompanied by diabetes remission.”
The Growing Problem of Obesity and Metabolic dysfunction
Obesity and related metabolic dysfunctions, including type 2 diabetes, represent a significant global health challenge.according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2017-2020, the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults was 41.9%. This is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
| Condition | U.S. Prevalence (2017-2020) |
|---|---|
| Obesity | 41.9% |
| Type 2 Diabetes | 11.3% |
Current treatments frequently enough focus on lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) and pharmacological interventions. However, many existing drugs have side effects or limited efficacy. Shin’s research offers a promising