In someone without diabetes, blood sugars are controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels, and is produced by cells in the pancreas called beta cells. If someone is at risk of developing diabetes, their beta cells can't produce enough insulin, which puts the beta cells under stress. The beta cells try to adapt, but if this fails, a vicious cycle begins.

On this episode, host Krista Lamb speaks with Dr. Dan Luciani about beta cells and his lab’s work to better understand them. Dr. Luciani is an investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Vancouver, and an associate professor in the Department of Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.