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 a goal of finding therapies to strengthen the process and effectively regulate blood sugar levels.

Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla. She was awarded her PhD at UCSD and has studied diabetes for 20 years. Dr. Itkin-Ansari has made key discoveries that have led to therapeutic approaches now in clinical trials.