Targeted beta cell therapy delivery to help people with brittle diabetes
Official title: Development of platforms for beta cell-specific delivery and ligand discovery
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11576747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research program aims to develop safe, targeted ways to release therapeutic agents inside insulin-producing beta cells to support people with type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,036,061 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK137242-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11576747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with type 1 diabetes who are experiencing challenges with insulin dependence or considering beta cell–related therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose condition does not involve beta cell loss or those who are not candidates for beta cell–targeted therapies.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating platforms that can deliver bioactive compounds directly to beta cells, aiming to promote their survival and growth while reducing the need for frequent insulin injections. By using chemical biology approaches, researchers will design systems that release therapeutics specifically in beta cells, potentially improving cell function in vivo. The work is centered on translating basic discoveries into a practical delivery method that could complement or replace current transplant approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce dependence on insulin therapy and improve beta cell survival in people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Other beta cell–targeted delivery approaches have shown promise in preclinical models, but this integration with beta cell–specific release is still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choudhary, Amit — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Choudhary, Amit
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.