Sharp Minds: Diabetes Insights from Insulin Producing Cells

Diabetics need insulin therapy because they can't make their own. Current methods to preserve, regenerate, and even transplant the cells that produce insulin (beta cells) are key to better therapies to help patients live long healthy lives. Our lab studies the factors that control beta cell health and function and recently discovered a potential weak link in insulin biosynthesis. We are now working to better understand the critical components of insulin biosynthesis with the goal of finding therapies to strengthen the process and effectively regulate blood sugar levels.