Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded a $778,662 Project Grant to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on April 6, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847). The grant funds basic biomedical research investigating the genetic and microbial regulation of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a metabolite produced by gut bacteria from dietary tryptophan, and its protective role against metabolic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research combines human genetic studies, animal models, and mechanistic investigations to elucidate how host genetic factors and gut microbiota interact to modulate IPA levels and influence metabolic disease risk through pathways involving intestinal barrier function, arylhydrocarbon receptor activation, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism.

Research activities are being performed at UCLA's Los Angeles, California facility through the Office of Research Administration, with a project completion date of January 31, 2030. The project deliverables include scientific findings on the genetic architecture of IPA metabolism, characterization of interactions between host genetics, diet, and gut microbial species in regulating IPA levels, and translational insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing or managing metabolic disease. This award exemplifies NIDDK's commitment to supporting investigator-initiated research that advances understanding of disease mechanisms and identifies novel intervention strategies for diabetes and metabolic disorders.