So, here's how beta cell regeneration breaks down: people who are at risk of developing type 1 will need a way to promote beta cell survival.  With newly diagnosed type 1, you need to promote growth and promote survival of the beta cells.  And for people like me with established type 1, we need to be able to generate new cells, promote growth, promote survival, or reprogram other cells.  That's a lot, but not out of the realm of possibility.

For those of you with type 2, regeneration may also work for you.  One of the trials, currently in phase 2, is called GLP-1 & Gastrin for islet cell regeneration. Eli Lilly signed a licensing agreement with Transition Therapeutics Inc. in March, 2008.  Gastrin based therapies have found that GLP-1 and their gastrin analogue, G1, have an important role in regenerating beta cells, but it also promotes sustained glucose control for type 2 diabetes!

Regeneration is making headway globally; key research is coming out of Israel, Switzerland, France and the US.  And the good news for people living with diabetes is that it's moving quickly from concept to human trial, and because they can bypass FDA new drug requirements, it will take far less time to reach all of us who need it!