Islet cell mass and predisposition to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

A research team at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Medicine is searching for the genetic marker that determines pancreatic islet cell mass. If this research is successful it may be possible to identify people with a genetic predisposition to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Little is known about islet cells, although it is believed that they achieve peak mass in the neonatal period or even in utero. Led by Dr. Liam Murphy, the research team is looking at chromosome 6 for the homeobox genes that control foregut and pancreatic development. They are at the stage of cross-breeding mice in order to follow a trend in their genetic make-up. Once the determinants of islet cell mass in mice are found the search for the corresponding genes in humans can begin. Their research is expected to take several years to complete.