How beta-cells respond to high glucose levels and their role in diabetes
Official title: Translational Programming of Beta-cells in Response to Glucose Toxicity
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11159692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how insulin-producing cells in the body react to high sugar levels and aims to understand why they sometimes don't work properly, which can lead to diabetes, in hopes of finding new ways to help keep these cells healthy and improve diabetes treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $707,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138605-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes due to beta-cell dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any form of diabetes or those whose conditions are unrelated to beta-cell function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how beta-cells, which produce insulin, respond to high glucose levels. It focuses on the translation of insulin mRNA and how this process is affected by prolonged exposure to glucose. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind insulin production dysregulation and how it may lead to diabetes. By exploring these cellular processes, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic targets that could help prevent beta-cell failure and improve treatments for diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent or reverse beta-cell dysfunction in diabetes patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding beta-cell function and insulin regulation, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaffer, Jean E. — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Schaffer, Jean E.
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.