MAFA and MAFB help mature pancreatic beta cells stay healthy
Official title: MAFA and MAFB contribute to human pancreatic beta cell maturation and function by maintaining histone methylation
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11435984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how two proteins, MAFA and MAFB, help human insulin-producing beta cells mature properly, with the aim of understanding why beta cells lose identity in type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $116,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DK149205-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes who may benefit from improved beta cell function in the future.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 2 diabetes or beta cell dysfunction may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how MAFA and MAFB interact with histone modifiers to keep beta cells mature and to prevent them from becoming immature. They will examine gene expression changes and histone marks in human beta cells, focusing on how these factors influence cell identity and insulin production. The study uses human cells and tissue-related methods to uncover mechanisms that could explain beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights could lead to new ways to preserve or restore healthy beta cell function in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prevailing data link beta cell maturation to H3K27me3 and PRC2 dynamics, supporting a plausible path for therapeutic insight.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Emily M — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Walker, Emily M
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.