Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Temple University received a $662,351 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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. The award supports investigator-initiated biomedical research focused on elucidating the role of MARCH6 (Membrane-Associated Ring-CH-Type Finger 6) in hepatic lipid metabolism and the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The research will deliver fundamental scientific knowledge regarding how MARCH6 functions as a sterol sensor to regulate hepatic lipid homeostasis through ubiquitination and degradation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), a critical transcription factor controlling lipogenic gene expression.

The research deliverables include systematic characterization of MARCH6-ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) mechanisms in maintaining lipid homeostasis and establishing the molecular and cellular basis for MARCH6's therapeutic potential in treating MASLD, including steatosis, fibrosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The project will advance understanding of protein degradation pathways governing hepatic metabolism and identify potential therapeutic targets for intervention in fatty liver disease progression, contributing to the NIDDK's programmatic objectives of supporting basic and clinical research that improves prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of metabolic and liver diseases.