Many researchers are pursing treatment options for diabetes­­—a disease characterized by high glucose levels— through approaches that increase insulin. However, there are two pancreatic hormones that play a critical role in regulating glucose levels, insulin, produced by pancreatic beta cells, lowers glucose and glucagon, produced by pancreatic alpha cells, increases circulating glucose levels.

In a new series, the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC), a leader in the field of diabetes research, will highlight its dynamic faculty and trainees.

The UCDC has members from across several schools and departments at UAB. Diabetes research capabilities are made stronger by the expansive research focuses and innovations that members bring to the table. To better understand these research capabilities and discoveries, we will spotlight UCDC researchers throughout the year.

U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) recently ranked UAB Hospital as the best hospital in Alabama, naming several of its specialties as top-ranking in the nation as well. Of the rankings, UAB Hospital’s endocrinology and diabetes specialty came in a number 40 in the nation.

Dr. Guanlan Xu, corresponding author. Behold the beta-cell: a cell found in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that is responsible for all the insulin production and secretion needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels.