Understanding uncommon (atypical) forms of diabetes

Discovery and Analysis Project

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11076273

This project looks for the causes and different types of uncommon diabetes in adults and families using genetics, blood tests, and lab-grown cell models.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11076273 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You could join a network that collects detailed medical histories, family information, and blood samples to better define unusual diabetes types. The team performs whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and plasma metabolomics, and makes patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells to study how your cells behave in the lab. Participants get standardized clinical testing and deep phenotyping so researchers can compare findings across many people and families. The effort is run through the Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network with the University of Chicago and collaborating centers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with diabetes that does not fit classic Type 1 or Type 2 patterns—such as suspected monogenic (MODY) cases, ketosis-prone diabetes, strong family histories, or unexplained atypical features—are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with straightforward, obesity-related Type 2 diabetes and no unusual clinical features, or those unwilling to provide samples or family history, are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer diagnoses and more personalized treatment options for people with atypical diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work using genomics and deep clinical phenotyping has successfully identified new monogenic diabetes forms and refined diagnoses, and this project builds on that progress.

Where this research is happening

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Brittle Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.