Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Florida's Division of Sponsored Research received a $795,806 Project Grant award 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) on May 20, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2031. This research initiative investigates the molecular mechanisms by which glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) regulate skeletal muscle metabolism in response to stress conditions including fasting and exercise. The project focuses on developing selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SGRMs) that preserve muscle while mitigating undesirable metabolic effects such as insulin resistance and muscle wasting associated with conventional synthetic glucocorticoids.

The research will employ genomics, proteomics, and mitochondrial diagnostics platforms to establish causal models explaining how SGRMs differentially affect glucose disposal, protein balance, and mitochondrial function. Work will include genetic activation of the CREB1 transcription factor to model exercise signaling in vitro and evaluate pathway-selective ligands that exploit naturally occurring transcriptional modules. The deliverables encompass fundamental scientific findings on stress hormone control mechanisms and data supporting the development of improved glucocorticoid therapies with reduced metabolic side effects—research directly aligned with NIDDK's objective to advance understanding of metabolic disorders and diabetes prevention.