insulin Archives

When half of their six children were diagnosed with what was then believed to be Type 1 diabetes, David and Ellen Pursell decided their family would participate in research related to the health condition. This family photo from several years ago includes, seated, from left, Peggy, Ramsey and Chrissy. Standing, from left, are Vaughan, Ellen, Martin, David and Parker.

Family’s participation key to advancing diabetes research

Mar. 9, 2023—A study of one family from Alabama has led Vanderbilt researchers to discover that insulin deficiency, independent of the autoimmunity associated with Type 1 diabetes, is the principal factor leading to a markedly smaller pancreas.

Beta cell regeneration

May. 20, 2021—Vanderbilt researchers dissected the complex microenvironment of the pancreatic islet to discover the signals that drive beta cell regeneration — as a possible treatment for diabetes.

Targeting glucagon action in diabetes

Mar. 4, 2021—Disrupting the action of glucagon — a pancreatic hormone that works to raise blood glucose — restores functional insulin-producing cells in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and may be a promising treatment strategy.

Gene variant and glucose metabolism

Feb. 18, 2021—Genetic variation that impacts glucose- and insulin-related signaling affects responses to type 2 diabetes treatments and warrants further study.

Keeping beta cells “fit”

Jul. 9, 2020—Vanderbilt cell biologists are defining the factors that help beta cells in the pancreas stay healthy, secrete insulin and prevent diabetes initiation and progression.

Patrick Hu, MD, PhD, has been named assistant dean for Physician-Researcher Training and director of the Office for Medical Student Research.

Genetic screen in worms reveals critical step in insulin synthesis

Dec. 4, 2019—The identification of a protein important for insulin synthesis may hold clues for understanding the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Discovery may point to better treatments for Type 1 diabetes

Aug. 22, 2019—Researchers have made a paradigm-shifting discovery that could lead to new treatments, better health and longer life for patients with Type 1 diabetes.

New role for microtubules in diabetes

Jul. 29, 2019—Microtubules — part of the cell's cytoskeleton — regulate the secretion of insulin, suggesting that they may be a new target for treating diabetes.

Building a pancreas

Jan. 17, 2019—Vanderbilt investigators are defining the genetic programs that control the development of pancreatic beta cells — studies that could inform new cellular or regenerative therapies for diabetes.

Insulin accelerant

Oct. 11, 2018—It’s possible to increase the permeability of blood vessels and accelerate insulin action in muscle, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

Study may point to new ways to reverse insulin resistance

Jan. 25, 2018—Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered how insulin crosses the capillary endothelium to exit blood vessels and stimulate skeletal muscle cells — a major finding that may lead to new ways to reverse insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes.