Role of human endogenous retroviruses in type 1 diabetes progression
Official title: Dissecting the Role of Endogenous Retroviruses in Type 1 Diabetes Progression
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11466083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how ancient viral elements in our DNA may boost immune activity and beta cell stress, possibly helping explain why Type 1 diabetes develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $831,022 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK149670-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11466083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Type 1 diabetes or at high risk who may donate pancreatic tissue or share samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Type 1 diabetes or related autoimmune conditions are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study human pancreatic beta cells using patient-derived islets, organoid models, and humanized mice to see how hERVs influence inflammation and how beta cells present antigens to the immune system. They will examine how viral triggers and inflammatory signals activate hERVs, potentially increasing antigen presentation and T-cell activation. The goal is to map the regulatory landscape of hERV activation during Type 1 diabetes progression and connect it to beta cell vulnerability and autoimmune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding hERV-driven pathways could lead to new strategies to protect beta cells and prevent or slow Type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies show hERVs associate with inflammatory and antigen-presentation pathways in Type 1 diabetes, suggesting potential relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Shuibing — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Chen, Shuibing
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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.