The replacement or regeneration of pancreatic β cells has the potential to reverse the progression of diabetes mellitus. This Review discusses the physiology of normal β-cell replication, the signalling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate entry to the cell cycle in β cells, and approaches for discovering novel molecules that drive β-cell replication. The potential and challenges of implementing strategies that replace or regenerate β-cells in humans is also discussed.
- Peng Wang
- Nathalie M. Fiaschi-Taesch
- Andrew F. Stewart
