Helping the body make its own glucagon to prevent low blood sugar
Official title: Targeting alpha-cell GPCRs to stimulate glucagon and counter hypoglycemia
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11143928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for new ways to help people with Type 1 Diabetes naturally produce more glucagon to prevent dangerously low blood sugar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $105,654 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DK132461-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Type 1 Diabetes who experience hypoglycemia and are interested in new ways to manage their blood sugar may eventually benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Type 1 Diabetes or those who do not experience hypoglycemia would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
For people with Type 1 Diabetes, managing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be challenging and sometimes dangerous. While current treatments use injected glucagon, this project explores a different approach: encouraging the body's own cells to release more glucagon. Researchers are focusing on specific cells in the pancreas, called alpha-cells, and how certain natural substances, like amino acids and a hormone called GIP, can work together to boost glucagon production. The goal is to understand the best ways to trigger this natural response, which could lead to safer and easier ways to manage hypoglycemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help people with Type 1 Diabetes prevent severe low blood sugar by stimulating their own bodies to produce glucagon.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of exogenous glucagon is established, this approach of synergistically stimulating endogenous glucagon with a combination of GIP and alanine is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El, Kimberley M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: El, Kimberley M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
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.
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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.
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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.
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Glucagon Pump Therapy for PBH in People After Bariatric Surgery
A new approach uses a patch pump and smart control to deliver glucagon during meal-related lows in adults who had bariatric surgery and developed dangerous hypoglycemia.
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.