Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Pennsylvania received a $712,100 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), effective May 20, 2026, through April 30, 2031. The award supports research aimed at deciphering human adrenocortical functional zonation and its integration into the endocrine axis in vivo. The research will utilize a human adrenal organoid model derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to define and assess cellular and endocrine/paracrine signaling mechanisms regulating adrenocortical development, with the ultimate goal of advancing therapeutic approaches for life-threatening adrenal diseases, including primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI).

The project will deliver foundational knowledge and analytical findings regarding adrenal cortex organization, hormonal production, and developmental processes that currently lack comprehensive understanding in human systems. By leveraging the iPSC-derived organoid platform to generate definitive zone-like cell progenitors and further differentiation pathways, the research will produce data and insights applicable to treating adrenal structural and functional defects. The findings are intended to bridge the translational gap between rodent models and human adrenal pathophysiology, ultimately supporting the development of permanent therapeutic solutions for patients with adrenal insufficiency and related endocrine disorders.