Dysfunctions of the tiny cell processes (primary cilia) of the pancreatic beta cells could be a cause of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about the structure and function of these cilia. An international research team led by DZD researchers from the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) at Helmholtz Munich of the Faculty of Medicine of the Technical University of Dresden has used various new imaging techniques to visualize the primary cilia in their natural environment.