How genes and life factors shape complications of type 2 diabetes

Genomic, gene-environment and casual inference studies in diabetic complications

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11326342

This project looks at how people's genes and everyday exposures change the chance of eye, kidney, nerve and heart damage in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11326342 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have type 2 diabetes, researchers will use large groups of people’s genetic information, medical records, and exposure histories to find genetic and environmental patterns linked to complications. They will use statistical and causal methods to separate direct genetic effects from intertwined risks and to look for genetic subtypes of complication risk. The team will pay attention to differences across racial and ethnic groups to better understand why some people develop complications more often. Findings aim to point to biological pathways and risk markers that could guide prevention or future treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) with type 2 diabetes, especially those with or at risk for kidney, eye, nerve, or cardiovascular complications and from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Not a fit: People without type 2 diabetes, children, or anyone seeking an immediate new treatment are unlikely to get direct benefits from this genetics-focused work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help doctors predict who is most likely to develop diabetic complications and point to new targets to prevent or treat them.

How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies have found some genes linked to diabetic complications, but translating those findings into treatments is still early, so this builds on promising but not yet definitive results.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.