How the pancreas matures in childhood and its links to diabetes
Integrative analysis of multi-omic signatures and cellular function in human pancreas across developmental timeline at single-cell spatial resolution
Researchers will map how pancreas cells change from infancy through adulthood to learn what leads to type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project collects pancreas tissue from infants, children, adolescents, and adults and uses single-cell and spatial multi-omic methods to chart cell types, gene activity, and their positions in the tissue. The team will focus on how insulin-producing beta cells are established and mature, and how blood vessels, immune cells, and other supporting cells interact with them. By combining data such as RNA, chromatin accessibility (ATAC), protein markers, and spatial maps, researchers will build a detailed timeline of pediatric pancreas development. The goal is to reveal early cellular changes that could relate to the start of diabetes in childhood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families and adult donors willing to provide pancreatic tissue or related samples (including pediatric surgical or donor tissue) across ages from infancy through adulthood, with or without diabetes.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate medical treatment or direct clinical benefit are unlikely to benefit directly, since this project focuses on basic research using donated tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to earlier diagnosis, prevention strategies, or new treatments for childhood-onset type 1 and type 2 diabetes by revealing early cellular changes.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell approaches have produced valuable adult pancreas maps, but applying spatial multi-omic methods across pediatric development is relatively new and expanding.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brissova, Marcela — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Brissova, Marcela
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.