NIDDK’s research mission includes some of the 

most common, chronic, and costly diseases and 

conditions affecting the health and quality of life 

of Americans. Many of these disproportionately 

affect certain groups or communities, including 

those who have been historically marginalized by 

structural and systemic racism and other forms 

of discrimination, and those who experience 

injustice today. NIDDK recognizes that to 

improve the health of all we must accelerate 

efforts to eliminate disparities and promote 

health equity. This report discusses a new 

NIDDK Health Disparities/Health Equity 

Implementation Plan that will guide this research. Descriptions of recent and 

ongoing initiatives, workshops, research, and activities also highlight NIDDK’s 

commitment to these efforts and to cultivating a diverse workforce.

To access the full report, visit niddk.nih.gov and search for 

“Recent Advances and Emerging Opportunities” 

NIDDK Director 

Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers’

Guiding Principles

Two clinical trials testing artificial pancreas technologies for managing 

type 1 diabetes have shown positive results, with one leading to the FDA

approval of a new commercial device. 

Experiments in mice and human cells shed light on how insulin-producing 

β (beta) cells adapt insulin secretion to the body’s needs, and how type 2 

diabetes may disrupt this process. 

A new study demonstrated that treating the rare genetic disorder Pompe

disease in utero may halt prenatal organ damage and improve health after birth.

-Mikayla, speaking about why

she decided to enroll in a 

Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet clinical 

trial testing teplizumab’s ability to 

prevent or delay clinical 

type 1 diabetes after her sister

was diagnosed with the disease.

-Mike, speaking about his 

participation in RADIANT, 

which is identifying and 

characterizing unusual types 

of diabetes toward developing 

more personalized approaches 

for treating the disease.

Maintain a vigorous 

investigator-initiated 

research portfolio

Support pivotal clinical 

studies and trials 

Promote a steady and 

diverse pool of talented 

new investigators 

Foster exceptional 

research training and 

mentoring opportunities 

Ensure knowledge 

dissemination 

through outreach and 

communications

Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases 

To prevent what 

happened to 

[my sister] from 

happening to 

other people.” 

I can help the future 

of science and 

hopefully be able 

to learn something 

about myself.” 

Here is a snapshot of recent NIDDK-funded research activities, including scientific advances and

personal perspectives of those who have given time and effort in support of clinical research.

NIDDK Recent Advances &

Emerging Opportunities: 2024

Executive Summary
I’m hoping that studies like this will give people some more agency.” 

-Tanya, a kidney donor in APOLLO, sharing her thoughts on the impact the study could have

on outcomes for African Americans with kidney disease.

Digestive Diseases and Nutrition

NIH Publication Number: 

24-DK-7962A

Full Report:

www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/strategic-plans-reports/

niddk-recent-advances-emerging-opportunities

-Dianna, speaking about the benefits of

participating in the PROCEED study that

aims to better understand how pancreatitis

develops and progresses over time.

I feel like it’s a two-way 

thing. If something can be 

learned from me, maybe 

it’ll turn around and benefit

me as well.” 

Researchers have uncovered biological pathways that link stress to 

worsening inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms.

New risk factors for IBD have been identified in individuals from 

countries in East Asia, which helps to understand and predict the 

disease across diverse populations.

A study found that an FDA mandate limiting the amount of

acetaminophen in combination opioid-acetaminophen pain 

relievers was associated with lower rates of liver failure from 

these combination medicines, although rates of liver failure from 

acetaminophen alone increased. 

Obesity 

Researchers found that time-restricted eating was 

feasible for firefighters on 24-hour shift work and led to 

health benefits for those with cardiometabolic risks.

Experiments in mice identified a substance produced by

the gut that links surgical and dietary weight-loss therapies

to improvements in metabolic and digestive health.

Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases 

U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute of Diabetes & 

Digestive & Kidney Diseases 

Researchers have created the most comprehensive atlas of the human kidney to date, which can be used to help identify

kidney disease subgroups and discover new, personalized treatments.

A new study has identified a previously unknown role of glucose uptake in polycystic kidney disease through development of

a novel model system from two innovative techniques.

Recent discoveries have revealed that two manifestations of overactive bladder may reflect a spectrum of symptom severity

rather than two distinct subtypes of urinary urgency with or without incontinence.

The APOLLO study is determining the effect of variations in a specific gene, APOL1, on kidney transplant outcomes of

the recipients and the living African American donors.

Maybe I can help someone else. Maybe someone else with kidney disease.” 

-Deryl, on his decision to enroll in APOLLO as a kidney transplant recipient.