Fully automated artificial pancreas for managing type 1 diabetes
Official title: Advanced Artificial Pancreas Systems to Enable Fully Automated Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11159389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new fully automated insulin delivery system that predicts meals and uses faster-acting insulin to help people with type 1 diabetes keep blood sugar in range.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $441,131 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK129553-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with type 1 diabetes who use or are willing to use an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and who can try faster-acting insulin formulations are the best fit.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes, those not on insulin therapy, or those unable to use a pump/CGM or faster-acting insulin are unlikely to benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project is building a closed-loop artificial pancreas that recognizes meal patterns and gives insulin in advance so you do not have to announce meals or precisely count carbs. The team will combine pattern-recognition algorithms with faster-acting insulin analogs to try to reduce post-meal high blood sugars. They plan two small pilot studies followed by a larger seven-month main study, using data from earlier clinical work to refine the system. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump while researchers tune the algorithm and insulin timing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the system could reduce the burden of meal-time diabetes management and lower post-meal high blood sugar for people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Automated insulin delivery systems have already improved glucose control, but combining meal-predicting algorithms with accelerated insulins is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Breton, Marc D — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Breton, Marc D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Creating a fully automated system for managing blood sugar in Type 1 diabetes
This study is working on a smart device that helps people with Type 1 diabetes manage their blood sugar automatically, so they won’t have to worry about counting carbs or announcing meals, making life a little easier for them.
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Investigating the impact of sleep on blood sugar management in young adults with type 1 diabetes.
This study is looking at how sleep habits impact blood sugar control in young adults with type 1 diabetes, and it aims to find helpful ways for them to manage their diabetes better.
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Improving methods to encapsulate insulin-producing cells for treating Type 1 diabetes
This study is looking at ways to better protect insulin-producing cells for people with Type 1 diabetes, so they can work well after being transplanted, with the hope of creating a more effective treatment for you.
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Technological and Educational Approaches to Restore Hypoglycemia Awareness in Type 1 Diabetes
A two-arm study in adults with type 1 diabetes tests whether high-tech glucose control plus education or targeted training can help people regain awareness of low blood sugar.
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Techniques for restoring awareness of low blood sugar in adults with type 1 diabetes
A randomized trial compares different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize when their blood sugar is dipping so they can act quickly.
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Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
This study tests two treatment approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes who often don’t realize their blood sugar is getting too low, using a mix of technology and education in two large groups.
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.