RADIANT: a network to understand rare and unusual diabetes forms
Official title: RARE and Atypical Diabetes Network(RADIANT)
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11538921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national network collects DNA, RNA, blood, and patient data from people with unusual diabetes to identify new types and understand what causes them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $226,483 |
| NIH project number | 3U54DK118638-08S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with atypical diabetes who do not fit standard Type 1 or Type 2 categories, including those with monogenic forms or ketosis-prone diabetes, and their family members.
✕Less likely to help
People whose diabetes aligns with classic Type 1 or Type 2 may not directly benefit from this project.
What this research studies
RADIANT brings together patients with atypical diabetes to study their genetics, gene activity, and metabolic profiles. It uses whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and plasma metabolomics, along with stem cell–based models, to uncover the biology behind unusual diabetes forms. The project builds a harmonized enrollment and evaluation process so researchers can compare data across families and individuals. The goal is to discover new diabetes subtypes and pathways that could lead to better diagnosis and personalized care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with atypical diabetes may receive more precise diagnoses and targeted treatments based on their specific disease form.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that genomic and metabolic profiling can reveal distinct diabetes subtypes and inform treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balasubramanyam, Ashok — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Balasubramanyam, Ashok
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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.