Leveraging glucagon to treat diabetes mellitus
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11189944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to use glucagon in a controlled way to improve diabetes by targeting a liver pathway that helps the body manage glucose and insulin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 2I01BX004898-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11189944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who could potentially benefit from liver-targeted therapies that modulate glucagon signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without type 2 diabetes or those unlikely to respond to metabolic interventions may derive little benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how glucagon can be used without causing too much sugar in the blood. Researchers will study a liver pathway controlled by BCL6 and see how it affects insulin secretion from the pancreas. They will test liver-specific gene knockdown and use advanced techniques in mice and primary cells to understand inter-organ communication and potential therapies for type 2 diabetes. The work combines biochemistry, gene expression, and physiological testing to explore a targeted treatment strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new liver-targeted therapies that improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that liver pathways can influence insulin secretion and glucose metabolism, supporting exploration of this approach, though the specific BCL6-driven pathway is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barish, Grant D — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Barish, Grant D
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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.