Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded Indiana University Indianapolis $840,284 under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) on June 20, 2026, for a Project Grant extending through March 31, 2031. This award funds basic and translational research investigating the co-regulatory mechanisms of insulin and glucagon in hepatic metabolism, with particular emphasis on developing ultra-stable bihormonal insulin-glucagon fusion proteins. The research aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms of hormonal cross-talk at the post-receptor signaling level and gluconeogenic gene regulation, addressing the clinical application of concurrent insulin-glucagon therapy to mitigate hypoglycemic risk while effectively treating hyperglycemia in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

The funded research represents a paradigm shift from the traditional counter-regulatory model of insulin and glucagon action toward understanding their potential co-regulatory functions. Deliverables include mechanistic investigations of glycemia-dependent switching in hepatic metabolism, characterization of distinct phosphorylation sites in Akt protein under complementary hormonal control, and development of enhanced bihormonal fusion protein therapeutics. These outputs contribute to advancing both fundamental understanding of metabolic regulation and translational applications for improved diabetes management through combination hormone therapy approaches.