Cardiometabolic Diseases at Pitt

Pitt has a distinguished legacy in endocrinology and metabolic disease research dating back to the early 1960s, when biochemist Panayotis Katsoyannis became the first to synthesize insulin in his lab at Pitt, and chemist Klaus Hoffmann isolated the human insulin receptor in 1984. Today, Pitt ranks #5 in funding by NIDDK and #10 by NHLBI among U.S. universities, with dedicated centers spanning metabolism, obesity, liver disease, and vascular medicine. Our integrated approach combines basic discovery, translational research, and real-world evidence to advance treatments for diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular conditions.

Featured Collaborative Research Opportunities
Mitophagy and NAFLD Pathogenesis

Research Area: Fatty Liver Disease | Mitochondrial Medicine | Metabolic Disease

Description: Researchers have discovered that reduced mitophagy is an early feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with liver-specific PARKIN knockout accelerating the onset of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. This work reveals new therapeutic targets for preventing liver disease progression and offers insights into mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic disorders.

Ideal Partner Profile: Pharmaceutical companies developing NAFLD/NASH therapies, biotechs focused on mitochondrial medicine, and companies targeting metabolic liver disease.

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Genetic Variants and Liver Disease Drug Metabolism

Research Area: Precision Medicine | Liver Disease | Pharmacogenomics

Description: Scientists are evaluating human hepatocyte drug metabolism in cells carrying high-risk or protection-associated liver disease genetic variants, enabling more precise prediction of drug responses and identification of patient populations most likely to benefit from specific therapies.

Ideal Partner Profile: Pharmaceutical companies developing liver disease therapeutics, precision medicine platforms, and companion diagnostic developers.

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Population-Level Risk Stratification for Fatty Liver Disease

Research Area: NAFLD | Real-World Evidence | Population Health

Description: Using the PaTH Network and PCORnet, researchers analyzed approximately 12 million patient records to evaluate population-level risk stratification strategies for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using noninvasive tests. This work informs screening strategies and identifies barriers to large-scale disease detection.

Ideal Partner Profile: Diagnostic companies, health systems implementing population health programs, and pharmaceutical partners seeking patient identification strategies.

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Novel Genetic Variants in Atherogenic Lipid Profiles

Research Area: Cardiovascular Disease | Genomics | Lipid Metabolism

Description: Research has identified a stop-gain variant in BTNL9 associated with atherogenic lipid profiles, revealing new mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease risk and potential therapeutic targets for lipid disorders.

Ideal Partner Profile: Cardiovascular therapeutics companies, lipid disorder treatment developers, and precision cardiology platforms.

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Featured Collaborative Research Opportunities

National Leadership in Cardiometabolic Research

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5
U.S. university funding by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) - 2023

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10
Funding by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) - 2023
1960s
Decade where Panayotis Katsoyannis first to synthesize insulin at Pitt
1984
Year where Klaus Hoffmann isolated the human insulin receptor
Seven dedicated centers driving cardiometabolic innovation:
Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine

Focuses on mitochondrial function, cellular bioenergetics, and fuel metabolism in metabolic diseases including diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.

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Pittsburgh Liver Research Center

Advancing understanding and treatment of liver diseases including NAFLD, NASH, viral hepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease.

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Center for Obesity Medicine

Comprehensive research and clinical programs addressing obesity prevention, treatment, and associated metabolic complications.

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Vascular Medicine Institute

Interdisciplinary research on vascular biology, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic-vascular interactions.

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Aging Institute

Studying age-related metabolic changes and their impact on cardiometabolic health across the lifespan.

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Center for Pediatric Research in Obesity and Metabolism

Dedicated to understanding and treating childhood obesity and metabolic disorders to prevent lifelong health consequences.

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Trilogue Center for Real-World Evidence

Accelerating research in collaboration with industry partners through robust clinical-informatics collaboration and access to diverse data sources.

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Comprehensive Infrastructure for Translational Research

Advanced metabolic phenotyping using radioactive and stable isotopes

High-resolution imaging for metabolic and vascular studies

Extensive collections for genetic and biomarker research

Novel mouse models for metabolic disease research

From observational studies to pragmatic trials

Access to millions of patient records across multiple health systems

Resources & Next Steps
Find Faculty Expertise

Connect with our researchers advancing breakthroughs in diabetes, obesity, liver disease, and cardiovascular health.

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Explore Available Technologies

Browse our portfolio of licensable innovations in gene therapy, metabolic modulators, and therapeutic targets.

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Ready to explore a cardiometabolic partnership? Our team can connect you with the right expertise and resources.

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Let's Advance Cardiometabolic Health Together

Whether you're interested in collaborative research, technology licensing, real-world evidence studies, or access to research networks, our Industry Partnerships team is ready to help.

Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
partner@pitt.edu