Markers from your blood that reflect islet cell health in type 1 diabetes
Official title: Prohormone Processing Products as Mechanistic Indicators of Islet Cell Dysfunction during the Natural History of Type 1 Diabetes
Funded at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories · NIH-11361740 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A blood test study to identify tiny protein fragments from pancreatic cells in people at varying stages of type 1 diabetes, to help track disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richland, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2026 |
| Project end | August 10, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,920,030 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK147558-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361740 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with or at risk for type 1 diabetes, including adults and potentially younger individuals, who can provide blood samples and, when needed, tissue-related insights.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct personal benefit, but their samples can advance knowledge that helps others with type 1 diabetes.
What this research studies
This project looks for specific prohormone processing products in the blood that reflect how well the insulin-producing beta cells and other islet cells are functioning as type 1 diabetes progresses. Researchers will use advanced proteomics to find these markers in pancreatic tissue and then develop a fast, blood-based test to measure them in people over time. The goal is to create a minimally invasive way to monitor disease activity and response to treatment in real life settings. Participants may contribute samples to help scientists map how these markers change with disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test that tracks islet cell health and treatment effectiveness in people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests prohormone processing changes during T1D; this project aims to validate these markers in blood for real-world use.
Where this research is happening
-
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
Richland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qian, Wei-Jun — Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
- Study coordinator: Qian, Wei-Jun
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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.