How certain immune cells influence type 1 diabetes risk in young children
Identifying cell-type specific genetic control of T1D risk variants in TEDDY
Researchers will track immune cells and genetic markers in children at higher genetic risk for type 1 diabetes to spot early signs of autoimmunity.
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 ID | NIH-11311883 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child is enrolled in TEDDY or has genetic risk for type 1 diabetes, this work will use blood samples collected over time to look at individual immune cells. Scientists will measure both proteins and gene activity in single cells to create detailed immune profiles at different stages before and during autoimmunity. They will link those profiles to known genetic risk variants, focusing on which cell types show genetic effects. The goal is to find cell-specific immune signals that appear as autoimmunity starts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants and young children enrolled in the TEDDY study or children known to carry genetic risk markers for type 1 diabetes whose parents can provide repeat blood samples and clinical information.
Not a fit: People without genetic risk, adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes whose beta cells are already lost, or those not enrolled in TEDDY are unlikely to benefit directly from participating in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could help identify early immune signs that predict or prevent type 1 diabetes in children.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic studies have mapped many T1D risk regions and some work links variants to immune-cell activity, but using longitudinal single-cell protein and RNA profiling in the TEDDY cohort is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onengut, Suna — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Onengut, Suna
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.