Understanding how genetics and environment contribute to type 2 diabetes
Official title: Cataloging multi-ancestry 'omic readouts of the environmental and genetic determinants of type 2 diabetes
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10978543 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your genes and your environment work together to affect your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so you can learn more about your own risk and get personalized tips for prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $689,177 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK137993-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978543 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from diverse backgrounds who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for type 2 diabetes or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental influences that lead to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). By analyzing diverse populations, the study aims to identify how these factors contribute to insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. It utilizes advanced blood assays to explore the relationships between genetic predispositions and environmental exposures, ultimately seeking to create predictive models for T2D risk. Patients may benefit from insights into their own risk factors and tailored prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized prevention strategies for type 2 diabetes based on individual genetic and environmental profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the genetic and environmental factors of diabetes, but this approach is innovative in its comprehensive analysis across diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Chirag J. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Patel, Chirag J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
Michigan Diabetes Project: A Peer-Led Self-Management Program for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
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-
Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why some older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes develop memory problems or dementia.
-
Personalized use of newer diabetes medicines for Type 2 diabetes
Aiming to tailor use of newer glucose-lowering drugs for people with type 2 diabetes to improve health and access in real-world settings.
-
Alzheimer’s and related dementia in older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why cognitive problems occur in people 65 and older who have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, using data from a long-running diabetes study to identify what drives memory and thinking decline.
-
Understanding why youth develop type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it
A nationwide study aims to unravel why some teens with obesity develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t, and to identify factors that could help prevent it.
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.