Molecular Drivers of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11381041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant supports research to understand why people with diabetes, especially type 1, have higher heart disease risk and how to prevent it with new ideas grounded in biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $947,600 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK142283-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or no diabetes who are at risk for or have cardiovascular disease and consent to study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not represented in the tissue analyses or who do not have or consent to cardiovascular assessment may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
People living with type 1 diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease that isn’t fully explained by existing tests. This project will look at the molecules and immune cells involved in atherosclerosis to see why risk differs between type 1, type 2, and non-diabetic individuals. Researchers will compare serum proteins and immune cell features, and examine plaque tissue to identify key differences in cell signaling and composition. The study uses advanced single-cell technologies and disease models to uncover new targets for reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetes. If successful, findings could guide personalized strategies to prevent heart disease in patients with diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gains in understanding could lead to personalized approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that immune and molecular profiling can reveal differences in atherosclerosis across patient groups, supporting a translational path for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onengut, Suna — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Onengut, Suna
Related research
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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.