Understanding Insulin's Actions to Improve Diabetes Care
Structural Insights to Insulin Receptor Ligand Interactions
This project aims to understand how insulin interacts with our bodies to create better, faster-acting, and more stable insulin treatments for people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159553 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know insulin helps people with diabetes, but current treatments still have challenges. For example, even fast-acting insulins can be too slow, making it hard to keep blood sugar levels steady and leading to highs or lows. Also, insulin needs constant refrigeration, which can be difficult for those using pumps or in areas without reliable power. Finally, insulin can sometimes cause unwanted cell growth, and we want to find ways to make it work only for blood sugar control. This work uses advanced imaging and lab studies to understand these issues at a very detailed level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to anyone living with diabetes who relies on insulin therapy.
Not a fit: Patients not currently using insulin or those whose diabetes is managed without medication would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new insulin treatments that are faster, more stable without refrigeration, and have fewer side effects for people with diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on existing knowledge of insulin and its receptor, using advanced structural biology techniques to address known limitations in current insulin therapies.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hill, Christopher P. — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Hill, Christopher P.
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 below.