Before revision:  Using generic Hodgkin-Huxley type of models , we investigate here how channel defects in single beta-cells affect the intercellular communication, and whether the collective dynamicsof the population can be thereby influenced. We identify a stark contrast between the dynamical behavior of homogeneous and heterogenous populations of cells. Whereas in the first case, when all of the cells acquired channel defects, a coupling interval can be found for which the pathological dynamics is stabilized and will be exhibited with \approx 100\sim100 \\%DIF < probability, in a heterogenous population, at least N/2+1 cells must have the channel defects in order for the pathological dynamics to be stabilizied.
After revision:  Using generic Hodgkin-Huxley type of models , we investigate here how channel defects in single beta-cells , and introduce channel dis-function to mimic pathological silent dynamics. The probability for pathological behavior in beta-cell populations is\sim100 \\%DIF < probability, in a heterogenous population, at least N/2+1 cells must have the channel defects in order for the pathological dynamics to be stabilizied.