Summary of Federal Cooperative Agreement Award

Joslin Diabetes Center, Inc. received a Cooperative Agreement award of $826,321 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective April 13, 2026, with completion anticipated by March 31, 2028. The award supports research to identify and develop renalase (RNLS) as a therapeutic target for early-stage Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) treatment. The research initiative focuses on investigating how targeting renalase enzymatic activity may provide beta cell protection by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and immune cell infiltration that contribute to autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells.

The project delivers biomedical research services aimed at understanding renalase's protective mechanisms in beta cells and developing potential therapeutic strategies to preserve remaining functional beta cells in newly diagnosed T1D patients. By combining beta cell protection therapies with immune modulation strategies informed by renalase-targeted interventions, the research addresses a critical therapeutic window in early-onset T1D where significant opportunity exists to prevent further beta cell loss and delay disease progression. The work aligns with NIDDK's programmatic focus on fundamental and clinical studies concerning the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications.