Pancreatic beta cells, oxidative stress, and gestational diabetes
Official title: Pancreatic Beta-Cells, Oxidative Stress, and Gestational Diabetes
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11449183 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $776,570 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK145729-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449183 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with gestational diabetes risk or a history of GDM, and pregnant individuals whose placenta and islet cells can be studied.
✕Less likely to help
People without pregnancy or diabetes risk factors may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
We will study how oxidative stress affects insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas during pregnancy, focusing on a key molecule called NRF2 that helps cells fight stress. Using human islet cells and related models, the project will examine protein changes caused by reactive oxygen species and how these changes impact beta-cell growth and function. The goal is to understand why some pregnancies develop gestational diabetes and how this might lead to type 2 diabetes later on. This work builds on prior findings that NRF2 supports beta-cell adaptation and normal growth in early life and obesity, and it will analyze differences between islets from pregnant versus gestational-diabetes donors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets to protect beta-cell function during pregnancy and reduce the risk of future diabetes for mothers and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked NRF2 and beta-cell adaptation to diabetes; this study extends those findings to pregnancy-associated diabetes.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alterzon, Sharon — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Alterzon, Sharon
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.