Investigating the effects of activating a specific protein in insulin-producing cells
Official title: Benefits and harms of activating ATF6 in beta cells
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11002653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called ATF6 can help the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas survive stress and possibly make more insulin, which could lead to new treatments for diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,087 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135304-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with adult-onset diabetes, including both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with diabetes not related to beta cell dysfunction or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the role of the ATF6 protein in pancreatic beta cells, which are crucial for insulin production and diabetes management. The study aims to understand how activating ATF6 can help these cells survive stress and potentially increase their numbers and insulin output. Researchers will use innovative tools to activate ATF6 in controlled settings, both in laboratory conditions and in live mice, to observe the effects on beta cell function and health. The goal is to find a balance between beneficial and harmful effects of ATF6 activation to develop new treatments for diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance insulin production and improve the health of pancreatic beta cells in diabetes patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches targeting cellular stress responses, although this specific activation of ATF6 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alonso, Laura C — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Alonso, Laura C
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.