How type 1 diabetes changes the kidneys today

Pathogenesis of kidney disease in type 1 diabetes: a modern kidney biopsy cohort

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11324949

This project uses modern kidney biopsies and advanced molecular tests to look for energy and oxygen problems in the kidneys of adults with type 1 diabetes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11324949 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will build a group of adults with type 1 diabetes who have had diabetes for about 5–30 years and collect kidney biopsy samples over time. They will combine these new samples with existing biopsy and donor tissue and perform detailed molecular tests, including single-cell RNA sequencing, plus tissue imaging and metabolic measurements. The team will compare people with diabetes to healthy donor samples to find specific cell types and pathways showing signs of low oxygen or disrupted energy use. Findings aim to map how diabetic kidney disease develops in the era of modern glucose monitoring and insulin delivery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (21+) with type 1 diabetes of roughly 5–30 years duration who are willing to undergo a research kidney biopsy and related metabolic testing are the best fit.

Not a fit: People without type 1 diabetes, children, or anyone unwilling or unable to have a kidney biopsy are unlikely to be eligible or benefit directly from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological targets for new treatments and help identify patients at higher risk of kidney decline earlier.

How similar studies have performed: Earlier kidney biopsy studies have improved understanding of diabetic kidney disease, but combining modern single-cell molecular tools with a contemporary type 1 diabetes cohort is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

SEATTLE, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Brittle Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.