Pancreatic delta cells that help balance insulin and glucagon
Paracrine feedback by pancreatic delta cells to control glucagon and insulin release and manage diabetes
Learning how delta cells in the pancreas control insulin and glucagon in adults with diabetes or prediabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322661 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll hear that the team is studying how delta cells in your pancreas release somatostatin to influence nearby alpha and beta cells. They use high‑resolution imaging to watch calcium and cAMP signals across many cells inside intact islets and measure how those signals change insulin and glucagon release. The researchers also examine how somatostatin remodels the cell's F-actin scaffold to limit hormone secretion, using lab models and tissue samples. The goal is to find signaling steps that could be targeted by new diabetes treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, or adults willing to donate pancreatic tissue or blood samples for islet studies, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without islet hormone problems or those with long-standing type 1 diabetes who have little remaining beta-cell function may be less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that better normalize insulin and glucagon and improve blood sugar control.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies using similar imaging and somatostatin-focused experiments have clarified islet signaling, but turning those findings into new diabetes medicines remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huising, Mark O. — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Huising, Mark O.
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.