We have identified a key part of the pathway in cell communication that controls insulin in the body that may eventually help in developing treatments for diseases such as diabetes and cancers. Insulin increases in the body following a meal as a signal to muscle and fat cells that there is excess glucose in the blood they need to remove and store. This process does not work properly in diseases such as diabetes. Furthermore, insulin can have profound effects on cancer progression. Understanding where the signalling process could go wrong is crucial for understanding disease development and designing new treatments. We’ve discovered this new negative feedback loop that is a powerful regulator of the insulin signalling network, which is moderated by a number of proteins including a protein called AKT. Negative feedback is like brakes in a car that can be lifted on and off. This new piece of the cell signalling puzzle that we have discovered increases our understanding of cell communication, which is essential for generating therapeutic strategies to treat diseases such as cancer and diabetes