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Pancreatic β-cells identity, glucose sensing and the control of insulin secretion

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:

  1. ​To generate a source of differentiated β-cells from IPSC from patients with pancreas sectomy where pancreatic islets are available for the current project.
  2. 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.
  3. To clarify the role of glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity or inflammatory stress conditions (cytokine) on de/trans differentiation.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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