Yi Lab · Joslin Diabetes Center & Harvard Medical School

Pancreatic beta-cell biology

Learn about our research in pancreatic beta-cell proliferation, regeneration, beta-cell protection against autoimmune destruction, and more.

Our research
The Yi Lab team at Joslin Diabetes Center

Pancreatic beta-cell biology · CRISPR screening · Regenerative medicine

We use multidisciplinary science to discover therapeutic targets that could improve the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Research programs

Biology with a path to therapy

01

Beta-cell replication

Mapping the gene networks, hormones, and cross-organ signals that drive adaptive beta-cell growth.

 02

Beta-cell transdifferentiation

Identifying pathways that enable pancreatic duct cells to become beta or beta-like cells.

 03

Autoimmune protection

Discovering genetic changes that help beta cells withstand autoimmune killing in type 1 diabetes.

 04

Genome-wide CRISPR screens

Applying gain- and loss-of-function screens across beta-cell stress, function, and transplantation.
Fluorescence image of ALDH3B2-associated pancreatic duct cell transdifferentiation

Research highlight · Accepted 2026

Turning human pancreatic duct cells into beta-like cells

A genome-scale CRISPR screen identified ALDH3B2 loss-of-function as sufficient to transdifferentiate human pancreatic duct cells into functional beta-like cells.

Read the bioRxiv preprint

Publications

Research highlights

View all publications

ALDH3B2 loss-of-function transdifferentiates human pancreatic duct cells into beta-like cells

An accepted study pointing toward a new route for replenishing functional beta-cell mass.

Sec31A is a key regulator of pancreatic alpha-cell survival

A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals a pathway controlling alpha-cell survival.

Renalase inhibition defends against acute and chronic β-cell stress

Regulating cell metabolism helps beta cells withstand multiple forms of damaging stress.

Advances in cell replacement therapies for diabetes

A perspective on progress and remaining challenges in diabetes cell-replacement therapy.

Renalase-deficient beta cells counteract autoimmunity by shaping Natural Killer cell activity

Beta-cell-intrinsic changes can reshape immune behavior during autoimmune diabetes.

Rfwd2 is a negative regulator of glucose uptake in brown adipocytes

A CRISPR screen identifies an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls adipocyte glucose uptake.

Protective Renalase deficiency shapes immune metabolism and function

Renalase-deficient beta cells alter immune responses during autoimmune diabetes.

Genome-scale in vivo CRISPR screening under beta-cell autoimmunity

A detailed protocol for discovering genetic protection in a type 1 diabetes mouse model.

Beta-cell stress and endocrine function during type 1 diabetes

A review of unanswered questions about beta-cell stress during disease progression.

Bioluminescent monitoring of graft survival in autoimmune diabetes

An imaging approach for following transplanted beta-cell grafts in living mice.

E2F1 links fat and islets to promote beta-cell proliferation

Acute insulin resistance reveals cross-organ signaling that drives adaptive beta-cell growth.

Applying CRISPR screens in diabetes research

A perspective on the use of genetic screens to uncover mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

RNLS is a target for beta-cell protection in type 1 diabetes

A genome-scale in vivo screen uncovers a genetic route to resisting autoimmune killing.

Insulin signaling promotes adaptive pancreatic beta-cell proliferation

The FoxM1/PLK1/CENP-A pathway connects insulin signaling with compensatory beta-cell growth.

Our people

A team built around discovery

Meet the lab
Peng Yi

Peng Yi, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

 Jian Li

Jian Li, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

 Siying Wei

Siying Wei, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

 Mulin He

Mulin He, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Chris Clifford

Ph.D. Candidate · MIT HST

 Jessica da Silva Pereira

Jessica da Silva Pereira, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Andy Ma

Research Assistant

 Jordan Chen

Jordan Chen

Harvard Undergraduate Student

Join the Yi Lab

Come investigate what beta cells can become

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers to join our work in regeneration, gene editing, and diabetes biology.

View the position