Taste bud stem cells could be key to diabetes cure

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Age 18 years and older * Healthy (see exclusion criteria below) * Are able to understand the study risks and procedures, and consent to participate in the study. * Are able to read and speak English. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Have less than 40 fungiform papillae on the anterior third portion of the tongue as evidenced by tongue photo taken during the screen visit. * Does not agree to the use of their tissue samples to produce stem cells. * A medical condition that requires the use of chronic anticoagulant medication use such as warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin or antiplatelet agents other than low dose aspirin (81mg). * History of increased bleeding due to either a known medical condition or an undiagnosed cause. * Active infections or chronic conditions that would prevent access to the biopsy area. * Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as Motrin (Ibuprofen), Advil (Ibuprofen) or Naprosyn (Naproxen) and the participant is unable to stop taking them 4 days before and 3 days after the final biopsy procedure. * Taking more than 81 mg of aspirin a day and the participant is unable to stop taking it for 4 days before and 3 days after the biopsy procedure. * Allergic to Lidocaine (Xylocaine) or any other local anesthetic or the participant has had in the past a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs. * Have taken steroids, other than ocular within 30 days of their scheduled biopsy procedure. * HIV virus infection. * Hepatitis B or C. * Kidney disease (Creatinine greater than1.5 mg/dl or calculated creatinine clearance less than 50 cc/min). * Liver disease (ALT, AST or alkaline phosphatase twice the normal serum concentration). * Severe gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn s disease or ulcerative colitis requiring continuous treatment. * History of severe pulmonary disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma requiring continuous medication use. * History of using any tobacco products within the past six months. * History of severe psychiatric conditions associated with behavioral problems or requiring chronic medical treatment. * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding. * Current illness that as judged by the study physician substantially increases the risks associated with the tongue biopsy (active infections, allergies, etc.).