How a mother's biology shapes her child's insulin-making cells and diabetes risk
Maternal regulation of offspring beta-cell subtype allocation in predisposition to diabetes
This project looks at how a mother's biology influences the types and growth of insulin-producing beta cells in offspring and how that might change their future risk of type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11367502 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how insulin-making beta cells form before and after birth and how maternal factors steer which beta-cell subtypes a child gets. The team uses laboratory models (including mice), genetic and epigenetic analyses, and cell-labeling approaches to identify and track different beta-cell subtypes. They compare molecular patterns and growth behaviors of these subtypes to see which are more likely to survive, proliferate, and function well. The goal is to uncover signals that could be used later to boost healthy beta-cell populations and lower diabetes risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a personal or family history of type 2 diabetes, or parents and pregnant people concerned about offspring risk, would be most interested in the long-term implications of this work.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced, insulin-dependent diabetes or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to increase resilient insulin-producing cells and reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies in animals have improved understanding of beta-cell biology, but translation to human prevention or treatment remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gu, Guoqiang — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Gu, Guoqiang
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.