Calcium Sensor DREAM and Pollutant-Triggered Pancreatic Stress
Official title: The Calcium Sensor DREAM Contributes to Pollutant Induced Pancreatic Stress
Funded at California State University Long Beach · NIH-11424432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain pollutants might disrupt calcium signaling in the pancreas and affect insulin- and hormone-secreting cells, which could influence diabetes-related health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Long Beach NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Long Beach, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $138,202 |
| NIH project number | 1R16ES038831-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Humans with exposure to environmental pollutants or those at risk for pancreatic dysfunction may benefit from better understanding and prevention strategies.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to the studied pollutants or without pancreatic disease risk may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how chemicals like PCBs and BPA may disturb calcium signaling in the pancreas. It focuses on the DREAM protein, which helps control insulin and other hormones produced by pancreatic cells, and how pollutants might change its activity. Using zebrafish models and RNA sequencing, the study will examine changes in calcium balance, gene transcription, and hormone secretion in pancreatic tissue. The goal is to understand whether pollutant exposure could contribute to diabetes-related pancreatic dysfunction in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify how environmental pollutants affect pancreatic health and inform strategies to reduce risk for diabetes-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that DREAM influences transcription and calcium signaling; this project expands to pollutant effects in the pancreas with some supportive data from zebrafish models.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holland, Erika B — California State University Long Beach
- Study coordinator: Holland, Erika B
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.