Translating beta-cell messages to prevent diabetes trouble
Official title: Translational Programming of Beta-cells in Response to Glucose Toxicity
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11330653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A beta-cell focused study at Joslin Diabetes Center will look at how glucose affects the production of insulin at the level of mRNA translation and how this process might go awry in diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $694,309 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138605-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diabetes or at risk for diabetes who may benefit from improved beta-cell function or future beta-cell replacement strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without diabetes or those not affected by beta-cell translational dysregulation may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project examines how glucose levels change the way beta-cells translate insulin mRNA into protein, especially through the 5' untranslated region. Researchers will explore how high glucose can disrupt this translation and possibly other secretory proteins, with a focus on ribosome dynamics. The goal is to uncover why chronic high glucose impairs insulin secretion and how this knowledge could lead to new therapies or better beta-cells for replacement therapies. The work aims to identify new targets to prevent beta-cell failure and improve diabetes treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new targets to prevent beta-cell failure and improve the effectiveness of cell-based diabetes therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that translation control in beta-cells is important for insulin release, making this a plausible path to therapeutic insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaffer, Jean E. — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Schaffer, Jean E.
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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.