Do Synaptic-like Mechanisms Control Insulin Secretion?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,235.00
Summary
An estimated 415 million people world-wide were diagnosed with diabetes in 2015. One of the causal factors in disease is the dysregulation of insulin secretion. We have developed new techniques to study insulin secretion that has led us to propose a new model for secretory control. This proposal sets out experiments to critically test this model. The outcomes could have wide-reaching impact on understanding and for future treatment and prevention of the diabetes.
The Structure And Function Of The Apical Domain In Insulin Secreting Beta Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,741.00
Summary
Loss of control of insulin secretion is causal in diabetes and therefore its understanding is a key goal to shed light on the disease. We have recently identified a new domain in the insulin secreting cells, called the apical domain. This proposal will define the role of this apical domain in controlling insulin secretion. The outcomes could provide new insights into how diabetes develops and new targets for therapies.
The Preferential Release Of Young Insulin Secretory Granules.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,005.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the cause of reduced glucose induced insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. In pancreatic beta-cells, insulin is packaged and stored in secretory granules (SGs). Upon stimulation, these SGs deliver insulin to the bloodstream. It is known that insulin SGs exist in two functionally distinct pools; and one pool is preferentially secreted upon stimulation. How a cell can differentiate the two SG pools is unclear, and we will address this issue in this project.