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Glucose homeostasis in mammals relies upon the cooperative release of insulin from thousands of pancreatic beta cells.
Glucose homeostasis in mammals relies upon the cooperative release of insulin from thousands of pancreatic beta cells. The 3D-organization of these cells within spherical islet microorgans is critical for the normal regulation of insulin secretion, by acting as a scaffold for the display of rhythmic activity patterns. However, practically nothing is known about how individual beta cells wire themselves at the population level to coordinate their efforts and produce a gain-of-function. Using recently developed chemical photoswitches, together with optogenetics, we have been able to functionally dissect in real-time the islet circuitry, as well as visualize its failure in response to genetic or environmental insults. The resulting phenomenon, which we term ‘beta cell connectivity’, may provide a novel route for the restoration of insulin secretion during diabetes.
Chair: Dr Perry Barrett
- Speaker
- David Hodson- Imperial College, London.
- Hosted by
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
- Venue
- Strathcona Hall, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, AB21 9SB
- Contact
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Tel:01224 438655