The Amaranth Diabetes Foundation, Inc. is an integral part of the global effort to stop the spread of diabetes. The Foundation Board selects the American Diabetes Association®—sponsored research projects conducted by the following scientists:
Megan L. Baker, PhD
Yale University
Cellular and molecular characterization of human diabetic kidney disease
Kidney disease caused by diabetes, or diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is the leading cause of end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis. This project focuses on investigating the progression of diabetic kidney disease, aiming to unravel the mechanisms leading to kidney failure. The goal is to develop treatments that specifically target these identified pathways, thereby altering the natural course of the disease. Ultimately, this project holds the potential to contribute significantly towards the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease by offering insights into novel therapeutic targets. (Grant funded through June 30, 2027)
Lisa R. Beutler, MD, PhD
Northwestern University Medical School
Dissecting sugar-induced modulation of gut-brain circuits
Despite its clear link to metabolic disease, very little is known about how a high-sugar diet alters the dynamics of this communication. This project will monitor the activity of several neural populations critical for normal feeding and glucose balance in mice before and after a high-sugar diet. These experiments will enhance understanding of how nutrition impacts brain function, determine how this goes awry during the development of obesity and diabetes, and identify neural targets for preventing and treating these diseases. As a physician-scientist it is my goal to lead interdisciplinary groups to pioneer circuit-based therapies for metabolic diseases. (Grant funded through December 30, 2027)
Ilia Droujinine, PhD
The Scripps Research Institute
Decoding and validating interorgan communication proteins as new therapeutic targets in diabetes
Organs produce secreted proteins that travel to other organs as a means of communication, and this communication becomes faulty in diabetes. This project will use this technology to identify and characterize novel secreted proteins involved in organ-to-organ communication in diabetes. Most importantly, is to advance our research to the translational, preclinical stage, because the identified secreted proteins may become new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics to treat the underlying causes of prediabetes and diabetes. This will further characterize these proteins, both helping to validate the technology as a platform that can enable more future discoveries, as well as evaluating their potential to serve as therapy for diabetic prevention or treatment in the future. (Grant funded through December 31, 2029)
Giorgia Zanetti, PhD
Columbia University
Developing a novel T1D mouse model to understand the interactions between human autoimmune systems and human β cells
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by immune destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells. This research will help predict how different patients might respond to the drug and identify markers for success or resistance, paving the way for personalized T1D treatments. A humanized mouse model will be generated with human immune systems. These mice will develop diabetes by T cell recognition of antigens presented by human beta-cells. This research could lead to treatments that might help protect these cells in people with T1D, reducing their need for insulin injections and potentially slowing down or even preventing the disease. (Grant funded through December 31, 2027)
Amritha Trikkur Madom Seetharaman, PhD
University of Tennessee
Novel montelukast derivatives for treating diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex condition that can cause fluctuating blood sugar levels, and over time, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy (DR), a serious eye complication and eventual blindness if left untreated. Both neuronal and vascular components in the retina are damaged, causing significant cell death, leaky blood vessels, and inflammation. Our research aims to develop a novel treatment by combining targeted cellular mechanisms with localized intravitreal delivery, enabling early intervention to halt disease progression. If successful, this project will contribute to developing a novel therapeutic for DR, employing a dual approach by targeting cellular mechanisms and utilizing localized intravitreal administration to intervene early in the disease progression. (Grant funded through December 31, 2027)
Nicholas Whitticar
Duke University
The role of branched-chain hydroxy acids in interorgan metabolic homeostasis
People with type 2 diabetes often have problems with how their bodies process certain nutrients, including amino acids, the building blocks of protein. The goal of this research is to understand how hydroxy acids molecules are created and broken down in the body and how this process differs between males and females or in people with obesity. Uncovering how this system works could lead to new ways to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes and related liver diseases. (Grant funded through December 31, 2028)
