Federal Grant Award Summary

The Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope received a $868,670 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective February 15, 2026 through December 31, 2030. The award funds research into therapeutic approaches for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) reversal through investigation of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) inhibitors combined with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and immunomodulation strategies. The research aims to simultaneously address three key requirements for diabetes reversal: preservation of residual beta cell mass, promotion of beta cell regeneration, and induction of immune tolerance.

The project delivers preclinical research services utilizing both in vivo and in vitro models, including nonobese diabetic mouse studies and human islet grafts transplanted into immunodeficient mice, to evaluate synergistic effects of DYRK1A inhibitors with the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide on human beta cell proliferation and survival. Additionally, the research investigates low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a chronic immunomodulatory treatment approach to selectively promote regulatory T cells for long-term immune regulation without broad immunosuppression, with the ultimate objective of developing safe, effective therapeutic regimens for Type 1 Diabetes treatment.