"Delta cell regulation of beta cell function"

Diabetes is a rising threat to global health. The failure of the insulin secreting beta cell to adapt to increased insulin demand is one cause of diabetes. Beta-cell function is controlled both by intrinsic factors, such as transcription factors that drive the expression of genes important for insulin secretion, and extrinsic factors, such as signaling molecules from other islet endocrine cells. My lab is currently investigating 1) how the transcription factor FoxM1 affects beta cell function and 2) how signaling through the delta cell contributes to glucose homeostasis.