Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded $132,423 to the University of California, Irvine on May 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to conduct basic biomedical research on Basonuclin 2 (BNC2) neurons and their role in glucose regulation and diabetes treatment. The project, titled "Targeting BNC2 Neurons for Diabetes Treatment," will be performed through February 28, 2030, and aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which BNC2 neurons within the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus influence glucose homeostasis and peripheral glycemia. This research addresses a critical scientific gap by investigating leptin receptor-expressing neurons that have been implicated in energy balance and satiety regulation, with genome-wide association studies establishing significant correlations between the BNC2 gene and metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity.

The funded research will generate fundamental scientific knowledge regarding the therapeutic potential of BNC2 neurons as targets for diabetes and insulin resistance treatment. The project represents investigator-initiated basic research within NIDDK's broader portfolio supporting biomedical research that improves understanding of disease mechanisms and leads to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases. The deliverables will include experimental findings on BNC2 neuron activation mechanisms and their effects on metabolic processes and target organs, contributing to the scientific foundation necessary for developing novel therapeutic interventions for chronic metabolic diseases.