WWAMI Faculty Awarded $99,000 NIH Grant to Research Underlying Causes of Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
November 05, 2020
Onesmo Balemba (PI, Department of Biological Sciences and dual appointment with WWAMI), Chantal Vella (Co-PI, Department of Movement Sciences and dual appointment with WWAMI) and Rayme Geidl (Co-PI, WWAMI, associate director of Clinical Education) were awarded a one-year, $99,000 National Institute of Health (NIH) grant through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Diabetes Complications Consortium to explore novel causes of diabetes neuropathy (nerve dysfunction) and dysmotility (digestive system muscle dysfunction). The study will help improve understanding of the interaction between diet, the gut’s microbiome and the host.
Roughly 10% of adult Idahoans suffer from diabetes and 34.9% have prediabetes. Knowledge gained though this research will help to improve the health of Idahoans who have or are at risk of developing diabetes and prediabetes.
“This project is an important step in improving medical understanding of the etiology of neuropathy, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance,” said Dr. Rusty Baker, WWAMI’s associate director of medical research. “We are optimistic that the work of this talented research team will ultimately improve the care and quality of life of people living with these conditions.”
The team looks forward to bringing their skills together and helping unravel factors that drive diabetic gut neuropathy and dysmotility.
“We are honored and excited to engage with diabetes health care providers, WWAMI medical students and our community on this cutting-edge research,” said Dr. Balemba.
Learn more about the WWAMI Medical Education Program.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.