Different types of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
Understanding putative beta-cell subtypes
['FUNDING_R01'] · VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · NIH-11127646
This project looks at whether distinct kinds of insulin-making beta cells change in people with Type 2 diabetes and could point to new treatment ideas.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (GRAND RAPIDS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11127646 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will work with mouse and human pancreatic tissue to separate and study different beta-cell types using cell sorting and genetic and protein analyses. They will record how these cells handle calcium signals and how they connect to other cells to identify fast "leader" cells and highly connected "hub" cells. The team will also examine chemical tags on DNA (epigenetic marks) that define two major beta-cell groups and compare their proportions and behavior in healthy versus Type 2 diabetic samples. By combining functional imaging with molecular profiling, they aim to link specific cell types and epigenetic states to diabetes-related loss of insulin function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Type 2 diabetes, and healthy or organ/tissue donors able to provide pancreatic islet samples, would be the kinds of people connected to this work.
Not a fit: People with Type 1 diabetes or those whose care does not involve beta-cell preservation are unlikely to see direct, immediate benefits from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific beta-cell targets to preserve or restore insulin production in people with Type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified related beta-cell subtypes and epigenetic differences in mice and humans, but directly linking those subtypes to diabetes function is a newer step.
Where this research is happening
GRAND RAPIDS, UNITED STATES
- VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE — GRAND RAPIDS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: POSPISILIK, JOHN ANDREW — VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- Study coordinator: POSPISILIK, JOHN ANDREW
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.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus