Project #86: Elucidation of the Regulatory Mechanisms of Naïve T Cells by Gut Microbial Metabolites for Therapeutic Strategies in T1D
Forecasted
Project #86 supports Keiichiro Mine at Boston College in studying whether the gut microbial metabolite isoLCA can reduce inflammatory immune-cell activation to help prevent type 1 diabetes.
Funder: Diabetes Research Connection
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$75,000 for one year; graduate students eligible for up to $50,000
Summary: Project #86 studies whether the gut microbial metabolite isoLCA can reduce inflammatory immune-cell activation and prevent type 1 diabetes.
Key Information: DRC supports U.S.-based early-career researchers and excludes NIH-funded principal investigators and R01 recipients.
Description
Project #86 is an active Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) project led by Keiichiro Mine, PhD, at Boston College. It investigates isoLCA, a postbiotic produced through gut microbial metabolism, as a potential strategy for preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Dr. Mine found that isoLCA reduces levels of a pro-inflammatory molecule that promotes inflammatory immune-cell activation. The project tests whether this immunomodulatory effect could prevent those cells from becoming activated and thereby prevent T1D onset.
DRC funds novel, early-stage T1D research by early-career scientists through a donor-driven, peer-reviewed crowdfunding model. Its broader program supports one-year experiments addressing cure, care, complications, and prevention, with the aim of establishing proof of concept that researchers can leverage for larger grants. The application rules below apply to that broader funding program.
