Aim of the projects
The overall aim of this project is to carry out an extended investigation, both in vivo and in vitro, on the identity of pancreatic β-cells, gluco sensitivity or insulin secretion in patients affected by type 1 diabetes. We also study the in vitro mechanisms, which regulates the storage and the loss of β-cell identity. In vivo we will carry out studies, in parallel, to clarify some of the main factors involved in the regulation of β-cell identity.
Specific aims of the project:
- To generate a source of differentiated β-cells from IPSC from patients with pancreas sectomy where pancreatic islets are available for the current project.
- To compare mature β-cells and β-cells derived from stem cells obtained from the same individuals to identify distinctive characters for studying β-cell differentiation.
- To clarify the role of glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity or inflammatory stress conditions (cytokine) on de/trans differentiation.
- To add experiments to support the potential role played by genes, miRNA and other molecular components in modulating the β-cell identity and the regulation of glucose in patients with different forms of diabetes.
- To draw a new vision of the relationship between oxPTM, insulin action and bone in type 2 diabetes, allowing the development of tools optimized for diagnosis and treatment.
Start/End Date
05/02/2017 - 05/02/2020
Principal Investigator
Prof. Paolo Pozzilli
Coordinator
Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome
Source of funding
MIUR