Genetics-based matching to prevent or slow type 1 diabetes
Official title: Using genetics in the selection of candidates for therapies to prevent type 1 diabetes and its progression.
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11479587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses genetic information to find adults with or at risk for type 1 diabetes who are most likely to benefit from treatments that prevent or slow the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $286,000 |
| NIH project number | 2R56DK121843-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11479587 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with signs of early or recent-onset type 1 diabetes (for example positive autoantibodies or recent diagnosis) or people enrolled in TrialNet prevention or recent-diagnosis studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without T1D-related genetic markers or those with long-standing type 1 diabetes who have already lost significant beta-cell function may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will use your genetic information along with clinical data to calculate a type 1 diabetes genetic risk score and look for specific genetic markers linked to disease progression or treatment response. They will compare genetic profiles from people in TrialNet prevention and treatment groups to see which markers predict progression before diagnosis and preservation of beta-cell function after diagnosis. The team will refine genetic risk models and test whether genetics can help match individuals to disease-modifying therapies. The data and tools developed will be shared with other researchers to help make genetic matching practical in clinical care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people most likely to benefit from therapies that prevent type 1 diabetes or preserve remaining insulin-producing beta cells, reducing unnecessary treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous TrialNet work has successfully used a type 1 diabetes genetic risk score to improve prediction and to explore links with treatment response, but using genetics to guide therapy selection is still being refined.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Redondo, Maria Jose — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Redondo, Maria Jose
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Helping people with type 1 diabetes regain awareness of dangerous lows
A UK study tests two different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize and respond to low blood sugar by comparing a high-tech insulin system with targeted education.
-
How the pancreas environment affects insulin-producing cells in type 1 diabetes
Researchers are studying how the surrounding tissue of the pancreas and its proteins influence insulin-producing cells in people with type 1 diabetes.
-
Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
This study will look at adults with type 1 diabetes to see how their awareness of low blood sugar evolves over time and whether automated insulin delivery and high-intensity exercise can help restore that awareness.
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.