pancreatic islet

December 4, 2023

Study links gene network and pancreatic beta cell defects to Type 2 diabetes

A comprehensive study that integrates multiple analytic approaches has linked a regulatory gene network and functional defects in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells to Type 2 diabetes.

By Leigh MacMillan and Jill Clendening
Maureen Gannon, PhD, center, with Emilyn Alejandro, PhD, associate professor of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota, left, and Maria Golson, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, a former postdoctoral fellow of Gannon’s.
July 10, 2023

Gannon receives career achievement award for islet biology research

Vanderbilt’s Maureen Gannon, PhD, received the Paul Lacy Medal Award, the highest honor given by the Midwest Islet Club in recognition of meritorious career achievement in the field of islet biology.

By Jill Clendening
Vanderbilt’s Rafael Arrojo e Drigo, PhD, right, recently received a young investigator award named in honor of the scientist to his left, Robert Sorenson, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota
July 5, 2023

Arrojo e Drigo receives award for excellence in the field of islet research

Vanderbilt’s Rafael Arrojo e Drigo, PhD, recently received the inaugural Robert L. Sorenson Young Investigator Award from the Midwest Islet Club (MIC) in recognition of his research excellence and innovation in the field of islet research.

By Jill Clendening
September 8, 2022

Immune cells drive beta cell loss in Type 2 diabetes

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered details of pancreatic beta cell loss — and potential therapeutic targets — during conditions of overnutrition, as occurs in obesity.

By Kelsey Pinckard
Insulin in vials
May 20, 2021

Beta cell regeneration

Vanderbilt researchers dissected the complex microenvironment of the pancreatic islet to discover the signals that drive beta cell regeneration — as a possible treatment for diabetes.

By Leigh MacMillan
Marcela Brissova, PhD, and MD/PhD student John “Jack” Walker are part of the research team that developed a pseudoislet system for integrated studies of human islet function.
July 30, 2020

Pseudoislet system expected to advance pancreas and diabetes research

The multicellular, 3-D structure of human pancreatic islets — the areas of the pancreas containing hormone-producing or endocrine cells — has presented challenges to researchers as they study and manipulate these cells’ function, but Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have now developed a pseudoislet system that allows for much easier study of islet function.

By Jill Clendening