BMP signals and pancreatic cell renewal in type 1 diabetes
BMP signaling and regenerative plasticity: Correlating dynamic scRNAseq and real-time anatomical remodeling in T1D pancreatic slices
This project looks at whether a natural signal called BMP can help adult human pancreatic cells change into insulin-making cells for people with autoimmune (type 1) diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249564 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers keep thin slices of human pancreas alive in the lab over time and expose them to BMP signals or no treatment while tracking individual cells. They use repeated single-cell RNA sequencing from the same donor slices (Dynamic SliceSeq) to follow how cells change rather than relying on single snapshots. The team looks for signs that non-endocrine cells or progenitors start to adopt endocrine (insulin-producing) identities and maps how ductal, acinar, and endocrine cells shift over time. Findings aim to reveal real-time human pancreatic plasticity and the cell transitions that might be harnessed for regeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with autoimmune (type 1) diabetes who can donate pancreatic tissue or enroll in tissue-donation programs are the most relevant candidates for this research.
Not a fit: People unable to donate tissue, children, and individuals with non-autoimmune diabetes are unlikely to directly benefit from this lab-based tissue study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to stimulate the pancreas to generate new insulin-producing cells and inform future regenerative treatments for type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell studies provided static snapshots and animal studies suggested BMP-driven progenitor activation, but this longitudinal human-slice approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dominguez-Bendala, Juan — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Dominguez-Bendala, Juan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.