Understanding how a specific potassium channel works in relation to energy and insulin secretion.
Official title: KATP: DYNAMICS OF A CHANNEL-ENZYME COMPLEX
Funded at Trinity College · NIH-10974873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special channels in your cells help control insulin release when sugar levels change and how they protect heart cells when there's not enough oxygen, which could be helpful for people with diabetes or heart issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trinity College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hartford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $385,191 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM155848-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with conditions related to insulin secretion disorders or heart diseases linked to KATP dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated metabolic or cardiac conditions that do not involve KATP channels may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the dynamics of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP), which are crucial for linking a cell's energy state to its electrical activity. By using advanced spectroscopic tools, the research aims to explore how these channels function in pancreatic cells to regulate insulin secretion in response to glucose levels. It also examines the protective role of KATP in heart cells during low oxygen conditions. The study seeks to answer fundamental questions about how energy input from ligand binding affects protein function and communication within multi-protein complexes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for conditions related to insulin secretion and heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding potassium channels, but this specific approach to studying KATP dynamics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Trinity College
Hartford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puljung, Michael C — Trinity College
- Study coordinator: Puljung, Michael C
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.