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How can we get more beta cells?

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Abstract

The need for a reliable source of functional β cells has led to many new investigations in an effort to drive the differentiation of embryonic stem cells, of putative stem cells, or of pancreatic progenitor cells to form new β cells. There appears to be a plasticity of pancreatic cells in vitro that may be exploited to generate the necessary β cells. Major questions still remain: whether there are true pancreatic stem cells, what are the pancreatic progenitor cells after birth, and whether expanded β cells themselves could serve as the source.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, 02215, Boston, MA, USA

    Susan Bonner-Weir PhD

Authors
  1. Akari Inada PhD
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  2. Susan Bonner-Weir PhD
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  3. Elena Toschi MD
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Correspondence to Susan Bonner-Weir PhD.

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Inada, A., Bonner-Weir, S. & Toschi, E. How can we get more beta cells?. Curr Diab Rep 6, 96–101 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-006-0018-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-006-0018-7

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