Alpha cells can convert to insulin-producing beta cells in mice when just two genes are blocked, a new Stanford study shows. A similar mechanism may occur in people with diabetes.

Our mental picture of the usual “adult-onset” diabetic encompasses a sedentary lifestyle, a fondness for simple carbohydrates and all things sweet, and a body habitus that can range from overweight to morbidly obese.

Growing organs from one species in the body of another may one day relieve transplant shortages. Now researchers show that islets from rat-grown mouse pancreases can reverse disease when transplanted into diabetic mice.

Diabetes impairs activity of bone stem cells in mice, inhibits fracture repair

The developmental biologist was honored for helping to decode how Wnt signaling proteins affect embryonic development, cancer and the activity of tissue-specific adult stem cells that repair damage after injury or disease.