Mapping pancreas cell structure, cell types, and function in type 1 diabetes
Co-registration of Cell Organization, Phenotype and Function in the Human Pancreas During Type 1 Diabetes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · NIH-11135355
This project maps how pancreatic cells and their signals behave in people with type 1 diabetes, people with diabetes autoantibodies, and people without diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11135355 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use donated human pancreases cut into living slices to measure hormone and digestive enzyme release when exposed to normal stimulants. They will compare slices from people with type 1 diabetes, those who are islet autoantibody-positive, and unaffected donors. Those functional tests will be linked to detailed single-cell and spatial molecular maps (scRNAseq, CITE-seq, scATAC-seq) to see which cell types and local tissue environments change during disease progression. The goal is to match cell organization, cell identities, and function across the whole organ to better understand early and late changes in T1D.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The research focuses on people with type 1 diabetes and individuals who are positive for islet autoantibodies (higher risk for developing T1D), whose pancreas tissue or clinical data would be studied.
Not a fit: People with type 2 diabetes or unrelated pancreatic conditions are unlikely to be directly helped by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific cell types and tissue changes to target for therapies that preserve or restore pancreatic function in type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies have shown reduced pancreas size and altered enzyme and hormone measures in T1D, but combining live pancreas slice functional testing with single-cell and spatial profiling is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA — GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ATKINSON, MARK A. — UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- Study coordinator: ATKINSON, MARK A.
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.