Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded a $811,217 Project Grant to the Trustees of Indiana University (Indiana University Indianapolis) on February 18, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847). The award supports basic biomedical research focused on signaling mechanisms of ultra-stable and glucose-regulated insulin analogs, with research activities extending through January 31, 2031. The project aims to develop novel insulin analogs designed to mitigate hypoglycemic risk in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) management through investigation of conformational changes in insulin structure and insulin receptor interactions.

The research deliverables include fundamental scientific findings on insulin fibrillation mechanisms, characterization of single-chain insulin (SCI) analogs with improved stability properties, and structural analysis of SCI-insulin receptor ectodomain complexes using advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and photo-cross-linking studies. The project also encompasses development of glucose-responsive insulin analogs (GRIs) that could represent a transformational therapeutic advancement for T1D patients. Research will be conducted at the recipient institution's facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana, with performance focused on resolving existing discrepancies in insulin fibril structure models and establishing optimal insulin analog designs for both stability and receptor activation.