New Type of Insulin-Producing Cell Discovered (IMAGE)

University of California - Davis

New Type of Insulin-Producing Cell Discovered

Caption

Insulin is made in pancreatic islets by beta cells. In type I diabetes, these cells are lost. Now UC Davis researchers have identified another type of insulin-producing cell in the islets, which appears to be an immature beta cell (shown in red in this image). The discovery shows unexpected flexibility in the system. Greater understanding could lead to better treatments and stem cell therapies for diabetes.

Credit

Mark Huising/UC Davis

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