Basic science, also known as lab-based research, is a critical component to ensuring progress in diabetes treatment and care, and ultimately in finding a cure. Research in the lab precedes studies in human patients and is imperative to understanding how to best prevent, treat, and cure diabetes.
Our Innovative Basic Science awards support basic research by senior investigators with novel and innovative hypotheses in any area relevant to the etiology or pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications. Applications proposing high-risk projects with the potential for high-impact results are encouraged, as are studies that may not be sufficiently developed for traditional funding sources.
Meet our 2019 Innovative Basic Science Awardees
The University of Toledo Health Science Campus
Project: Common mechanisms regulating osteocyte support for bone remodeling and energy metabolism
Orian S Shirihai, MD, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
Project: Hyper-secretion of insulin at basal glucose in the pre-diabetic obese: mechanism and drug target
Do-Hyung Kim, PhD
University of Minnesota
Project: Role of hepatic immunoproteasome in NAFLD and insulin resistance
Mark O. Huising, PhD
University of California, Davis
Project: Pancreatic beta cell maturation and regeneration supported by a neogenic niche
Mete Civelek, PhD
University of Virginia
Project: Dissecting the KLF14-regulated transcriptional network in adipocytes
Danwei Huangfu, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: Discover the roles of FOXA2 in human pancreatic beta cell differentiation and function
Andrzej Bartke, PhD
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Project: Early life interventions for prevention of diabetes
Chi-Liang Eric Yen, PhD
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Project: Intestinal lipid metabolism, gut microbiome, and pancreatic beta cells
Yong Xia, MD
The Ohio State University
Project: Vascular endothelial injury in hypoglycemia
Juli Bai, PhD
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Project: The role of the cGAS-cGAMP pathway in regulating energy homeostasis
Greg J Morton, PhD
University of Washington
Project: Neurocircuits regulating glucose homeostasis
Xiongwen Chen, PhD
Temple University
Project: The roles of cardiomyocyte beta-adrenergic receptors, PKI and PKA, in diabetic cardiomyopathy
Ling Qi, PhD
University of Michigan Medical Center
Project: Defining the role of SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD in the liver
Darleen A. Sandoval, PhD
University of Michigan
Project: Defective counterregulation vs. GLP-1 in mediating increased postprandial hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery
Ambra Pozzi, PhD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Project: Bioactive Lipids in Insulin Resistance
Eric D Lazartigues, PhD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Project: Epigenetic modulation of the autonomic nervous system and its consequences for cardio-metabolic diseases
Misty J Eaton, PhD
Universidad Central del Caribe
Project: Does astrocytic dysfunction contribute to stroke-induced brain damage in diabetics?
Jingshi Shen, PhD
University of Colorado at Boulder
Project: Dissect insulin-stimulated GLUT4 exocytosis using CRISPR genetic screens
