Understanding how pancreatic beta cells grow and multiply
Official title: Metabolic requirements of pancreatic beta cell proliferation
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11226108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain processes in your body help pancreatic beta cells, which make insulin, grow and multiply, especially in people with Type 1 diabetes, to find new ways to help these cells regenerate and improve blood sugar control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $107,765 |
| NIH project number | 7R03DK135459-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11226108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes who may benefit from therapies aimed at increasing beta cell proliferation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Type 2 diabetes or those whose diabetes is not related to beta cell loss may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the metabolic processes that support the growth and replication of pancreatic beta cells, which are crucial for insulin production. By focusing on the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase, the study aims to identify metabolic bottlenecks that limit the proliferation of these cells in the context of Type 1 diabetes. The approach combines insights from cellular metabolism and epigenetics to explore new therapeutic strategies that could enhance beta cell regeneration. Patients may benefit from potential treatments that could restore insulin production and improve blood glucose control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells, potentially reducing the need for insulin therapy in Type 1 diabetes patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been substantial preclinical development in therapies for beta cell regeneration, this specific approach focusing on metabolic pathways is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wortham, Matthew — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Wortham, Matthew
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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.