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Restoring Pancreatic Alpha Cell Function to Improve Metabolic Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Deadlines are 5:00 PM (Eastern). No extensions will be granted.


Milestone Date Status
Letter of Intent Required Dec 20, 2017 Passed
Application Feb 21, 2018 Passed
Award Notification Aug 01, 2018 Passed
Earliest Start Oct 01, 2018 Passed

Background & Purpose

Please click on the “RFA ANNOUNCEMENT” link in the upper right corner for complete information.

PURPOSE

JDRF is committed to facilitating the discovery and translation of promising targets or therapeutics to improve and restore glycemic control in people with type 1 Diabetes (T1D). To this end, JDRF is soliciting letters of intent for research to evaluate molecular and cellular mechanisms, validate drug targets, or propose novel therapeutic interventions to correct alpha cell dysregulation and improve metabolic control in T1D.

BACKGROUND

Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated loss of pancreatic beta cells and our understanding of the pathogenesis has traditionally revolved around insulin deficiency. However, there is an increasing appreciation of the contributions of other pancreatic cell types in controlling blood glucose levels and the consequences of their dysregulation in T1D. Alpha cells, composing 40% of the total number of cells in the islet, secrete glucagon which controls blood levels in the fasting state. Impaired glucagon secretion predisposes people with T1D to hypoglycemia, whereas hyperglycemia is associated with over secretion and hyperglucagonemia. To achieve the therapeutic objective of restoring alpha cell function and improving metabolic control in individuals living with T1D, JDRF will support applications that address the mechanisms of alpha cell dysfunction and/or present rational design of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring alpha cell function in T1D.