Understanding the differences in human pancreas structure

Heterogeneity of the human pancreas

NIH-funded research University of Chicago · NIH-10538549

This study is looking at how the amount and arrangement of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas can change in people with diabetes, using advanced imaging to gather detailed information that could help future research.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10538549 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the variability in pancreatic beta-cell mass, which is crucial for diabetes progression. By analyzing human pancreas samples, the study aims to quantify beta-cell mass and understand the spatial arrangement of islets within the pancreas. The researchers will use advanced imaging techniques and large-scale quantification methods to gather comprehensive data, which will help clarify the role of beta-cell heterogeneity in diabetes. Ultimately, this work seeks to create a Virtual Repository Database to store and share findings for future research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with diabetes as well as non-diabetic individuals who are willing to donate pancreas tissue for analysis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing any form of pancreatic analysis or those with conditions unrelated to pancreatic function may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of diabetes by identifying critical factors related to beta-cell function.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding pancreatic function through tissue analysis, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and detailed approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.