We are interested in pancreatic islet function in health and diabetes. Our research projects currently cover several diverse areas of islet cell biology, including: biophysical characterization of islet ion channels; intracellular signal transduction and insulin exocytosis; metabolic/inflammatory interactions; and the cellular regulation of glucagon secretion. Essentially, we are interested in anything that impacts islet function and hormone secretion!

We also run an in-house human islet isolation, banking, and distribution program called IsletCore. More info on this is found here.

Our techniques are mostly cell-based, and include: hormone secretion assays; single cell patch-clamp measurement of electrical activity, ion channel function and exocytosis; and real-time and static cellular imaging by TIRF, confocal and epifluorescence microscopy. These are supported by molecular biological approaches to up-regulate, down-regulate, or mutate target proteins. We also work with transgenic animal models and in vivo islet transplantation.

Our review and perspective papers:

Review on glycine in type 2 diabetes
Opinion on connecting metabolism to insulin exocytosis
Perspective on signal integration at the exocytotic site
Review on glucagon secretion and the development of diabetes
Review on SUMOylation in the beta-cell
Review on regulation of glucagon secretion by Katp channels
Review on single vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis
Primer on beta-cell function: oscillations and coupling
Review on glucose-sensing in beta-cells
Review on glucagon-like peptide-1
Review on voltage-dependent K+ channels in beta-cells