Research into the control of insulin secretion

How insulin secretion is controlled is an important area of research. Its understanding will lead to new avenues for treatments.

Our lab has a focus on how insulin-secreting cells respond the environment of the islets of Langerhans. To preserve this environment we tend to use pancreatic slices, rather than enzyme-isolated islets.

We work with both animal and human tissue and our most recent findings indicate that the beta cells actively interact with blood vessels and with other endocrine cells in the islet. These interactions have a profound effect on beta cell orientation and the control of insulin secretion.