In mice, eating insulin reduces the chance of getting diabetes, and small studies with animals and people have found that insulin shots can head off diabetes. That's where Palmer's study comes in. The idea is that beta cells only produce insulin when it's needed by the rest of the body. If the body is getting insulin from shots, it doesn't need the beta cells to produce as much. The beta cells might then slack off on their duties.
Researchers believe inactive beta cells are more likely to escape the immune system's attack.
DPT-1 volunteers who join Palmer's study will have blood drawn several extra times. Palmer's lab will analyze the blood for evidence of how hard the beta cells are working. After the DPT-1 is over, Palmer will learn which subjects evaded diabetes and which ones got it. He will then know whether the beta cells of the people who did not get diabetes rested more than other subjects' beta cells. If he finds that the beta cells took a break, his next step would be to figure out which facet of insulin was responsible.