Our program faculty bring diverse expertise to the problem of understanding the islet and the mechanisms by which it fails in diabetes. We cover a broad spectrum of research, including studies to interrogating fundamental islet biology, dissection of cellular mechanisms underlying islet failure and groundbreaking clinical research.
FUNDAMENTAL ISLET BIOLOGY
Furthering our knowledge of fundamental islet biology is key to better understanding what goes wrong in diabetes and how to fix it. Insulin release is required for normal glucose homeostasis, and is deficient in all forms of diabetes. Several program members are uncovering novel pathways and mechanisms governing the complex process of insulin release under normal conditions. Their findings provide new targets for therapeutic development. Beta-cell loss occurs in all forms of diabetes. Members of this program are therefore working to develop strategies to promote of beta cell regeneration and to provide sources of new beta cells for transplantation. An emerging area of interest in the field is that the beta cell requires interactions with several other islet cell types to maintain optimal health and function. Multiple program members are focused on this area, investigating how interactions between beta cells and alpha cells, immune cells, islet blood vessels and the associated extracellular matrix all contribute to normal islet health and function.
CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF ISLET FAILURE
The diabetic islet exists within a hostile environment, which provides some unique challenges for its survival and function. We are studying how islet autoimmunity results in type 1 diabetes, including the role of auto-antibodies in this process. Several program members study islet amyloid, a feature of all types of diabetes, and how it exerts its toxic effects on (and through) multiple islet cell types. The role of peptidases, including neprilysin, in modulating islet function in diabetes and the impact of islet endothelial dysfunction on beta-cell function/survival are also active areas of research. Together, these research efforts allow us to probe mechanisms underlying islet failure and pathology in multiple forms of diabetes, with the goal of finding new approaches for treatment and prevention.
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Clinical Research within our programs encompasses several areas. Our faculty are involved in major national clinical trials in prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Local studies are focused on pharmacological therapies and diabetes technology. Our faculty’s expertise is helping the research and clinical communities better understand glucose metabolism abnormalities that occur in diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
