Islet Function in Gestational Diabetes
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11425170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Mayo Clinic Rochester will look at how pancreatic islet cells behave in pregnancy women with gestational diabetes and compare them to those without the condition to understand why many develop type 2 diabetes later.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,882 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148528-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant adults diagnosed with gestational diabetes and a comparison group of pregnant adults without GDM.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals without interest in participating or those outside the study criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how alpha and beta cells in the pancreas respond to different blood sugar levels in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes. Researchers will compare how these cells function during pregnancy and after delivery to identify what goes wrong in GDM. The study builds on preliminary findings that alpha-cell dysfunction and intra-islet GLP-1 may play a role in GDM-related islet stress. By examining cell responses under controlled hyperglycemia, the team aims to map the mechanisms linking GDM to long-term diabetes risk. The ultimate goal is to inform future strategies to prevent postpartum progression to type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better ways to predict and prevent type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests alpha-cell dysfunction is involved in GDM, but a detailed comparison with beta-cell function across pregnancy and postpartum remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egan, Aoife Maria — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Egan, Aoife Maria
Related research
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A study is exploring how oxidative stress and changes in pancreatic beta cells during pregnancy may contribute to gestational diabetes and future diabetes risk for both mother and baby.
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NDPP-MAP: A tailored online-hybrid program to reduce long-term health risks after pregnancy with gestational diabetes
A patient-friendly program adapts a proven diabetes prevention approach to help women who had gestational diabetes lower their risk of type 2 diabetes and heart problems.
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In Vivo Look at Placental Blood Flow in Gestational Diabetes
A non-invasive MRI study in pregnant people with gestational diabetes and those without will map how placental blood vessels work and relate to baby outcomes.
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.