Blocking harmful clumping of a pancreas hormone linked to type 2 diabetes
Inhibition of Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation
The team is developing ways to stop a pancreas hormone called IAPP from forming toxic clumps that can kill insulin-producing cells in people with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125966 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They use high-resolution structural tools such as cryo-electron microscopy and lab models that mimic cell membranes to observe how IAPP pieces stick together and harm beta cells. The researchers aim to capture short-lived intermediate clumps as well as the final fibril structures to understand the full aggregation pathway. They will test molecules and nanoparticles that might prevent IAPP from aggregating at membrane surfaces. The work also explores interactions between IAPP and other amyloid proteins to help explain links between diabetes and neurodegenerative disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 2 diabetes or those at high risk for developing it would be the most likely candidates for therapies derived from this research.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes or forms of diabetes not driven by IAPP aggregation are unlikely to benefit directly from IAPP-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that protect insulin-producing cells and slow or prevent progression of type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have solved IAPP fibril structures and found some aggregation inhibitors, but targeting the early membrane-associated oligomers is still relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Clemson, United States
- Clemson University — Clemson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Feng — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Ding, Feng
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.