New Insights Into the Unique Genetics of the Human Pancreas

Insulin regulates blood sugar, and it is made by cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Type 1 diabetes arises when something goes wrong with those cells. For example, in some cases, the immune system erroneously attacks those cells, leaving an individual without an adequate supply of insulin, which is a crucial hormone. Too much or too little insulin can lead to serious health problems. Scientists have now discovered that the gene that leads to insulin production in the human pancreas is not found in almost any other animal. The findings have been