How the MAFA protein helps human insulin-producing cells
Defining the role of MafA in islet beta cells
Researchers are looking at how the protein called MAFA affects insulin-producing beta cells in people, with a focus on adult-onset 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-11093976 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many important findings about insulin-producing cells came from animal studies, but human cells behave differently in key ways. This project focuses on MAFA, a protein that is low in young human beta cells and higher after childhood, and examines how that difference matters for insulin release. The team uses human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to create beta-like cells and study MAFA’s role in insulin secretion and cell function. The goal is to understand adult human beta-cell biology better so researchers can target the right mechanisms for diabetes care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to adults with adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes and to people willing to donate cells or tissue for diabetes research.
Not a fit: Children under about nine years old and people without beta-cell or insulin problems are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to improve insulin production or protect beta cells in adults with adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown clear differences between human and rodent beta cells and have used stem-cell-derived beta-like cells, but turning those findings into patient treatments is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Roland W — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Stein, Roland W
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.