Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital received a $517,589 Project Grant 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), awarded May 1, 2026, with completion targeted for February 28, 2030. This research initiative focuses on identifying and characterizing a novel regulator of erythrocyte hydration in red blood cell development. The research will deliver two primary products: (1) identification of protein interactions and characterization of the relationship between a TSC22 family member and the WNK1 kinase, examining how these regulatory proteins control potassium-chloride cotransport and cellular hydration in reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes; and (2) elucidation of how genetic variants influence erythrocyte phenotype through human and murine in vivo models of perturbed erythrocyte hydration.

These research products will advance scientific understanding of normal reticulocyte maturation and erythropoiesis while providing insights into the mechanisms underlying inherited and acquired erythrocyte disorders. The multidisciplinary investigation employs state-of-the-art cellular, molecular, and genetic technologies to characterize the structure and function of regulatory complexes in erythroid cells, ultimately contributing to improved understanding of erythrocyte volume homeostasis and its role in blood cell diseases.