Islet Biology Program
Islet Biology Program
The Islet Biology Program includes research related to the development and function of the islet. One primary research focus is the overlapping steps in the progression from stem cells to organized islets. Investigators compare and contrast pancreas development in organisms as varied as flies, zebrafish, mice, and humans. There is a strong emphasis on studies of islet regeneration oriented towards producing islets for transplantation into patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Islet Biology researchers also study islet function ranging from the generation of islet autoantigens predisposing islets to destruction in Type 1 diabetes to the regulation of beta-cell turnover and the progressive decline in beta cell function leading to beta cell failure and Type 2 diabetes.
Islet Biology Program Members and Research Activities
Islet Differentiation and Function
Miguel Ramalho-Santos, PhD, MSc
CENTER MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DERC CENTER GRANT (P30 DK063720) CONTRIBUTIONS WITH ‘THIS RESEARCH WAS SUPPORTED BY GRANTS X, Y FROM NIH P30 DK063720'.