Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Pittsburgh received a $657,433 Project Grant award dated May 15, 2026, 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). The grant supports research investigating the mechanistic role of the CERS2 gene and its risk allele (rs267738) in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) pathogenesis. The project combines advanced analytical tools, mouse models, and human cell systems to elucidate how CERS2 dysfunction—which reduces ceramide synthase 2 function by approximately 33 percent and affects approximately 7 percent of the population—directly contributes to T2D development through impaired insulin secretion and hepatic metabolic dysfunction, independent of obesity or other conventional risk factors.

The research delivers mechanistic insights linking sphingolipid dysregulation to T2D etiology through identification of key molecular pathways (mTORC1 and PPAR signaling) involved in pancreatic and liver metabolism. Outputs include development of analytical software (MetGWAS 1.0) for linking metabolic changes to genetic variants, characterization of CERS2 functional effects in preclinical models, and foundational knowledge intended to support development of targeted therapeutic interventions addressing root causes rather than symptoms of T2D. The project period extends through February 28, 2031, and is conducted at the University of Pittsburgh's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania facility.