The researchers set out to explore whether there was a fast, reliable way to transform pancreatic duct cells into insulin-producing beta-like cells. Instead of trying to multiply existing beta cells, a process humans carry out very slowly, they looked for a way to harness and edit biological processes already present in the cells.

Using advanced CRISPR gene-editing technology, the researchers screened thousands of genes. They found ALDH3B2, a gene that acts as a molecular brake, keeping pancreatic duct cells locked in their default identity. Turning it off released the brake, allowing the cells to break out of that identity and transform into insulin-producing beta-like cells.