Cell-identity switches, in which terminally differentiated cells are converted into different cell types when stressed, represent a widespread regenerative strategy in animals, yet they are poorly documented in mammals. In mice, some glucagon-producing pancreatic α-cells and somatostatin-producing δ-cells become insulin-expressing…
We have the pleasure of hosting Prof. Brigitte Galliot from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland. The seminar is organized in collaboration with SARS and will take place at HiB, Bioblokken 5th floor, Room 520B (Thormøhlensgt. 55, 5006…
One temporary short-term position is now available! The project aims to develop and employ (i) an innovative in vivo system allowing the differentiation, monitoring, retrieval, characterization and modulation of MODY-iPSC-derived β-cells; (ii) methods for characterizing the cellular processes and molecular…
Patients with bladder cancer need frequent controls over long follow-up time due to high recurrence rate and risk of conversion to muscle invasive cancer with poor prognosis. We identified cancer-related molecular signatures in apparently healthy bladder in patients with subsequent…
The mechanisms that restrict regeneration and maintain cell identity following injury are poorly characterized in higher vertebrates. Following β-cell loss, 1-2% of the glucagon-producing α-cells spontaneously engage in insulin production in mice. Here we explore the mechanisms inhibiting α-cell plasticity.…
We have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Natalia Soshnikova from the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany. She will talk about the molecular mechanisms of intestinal stem cell specification during development on 18th of January 2018 at BUS1 Pankreas…
Current published protocols for targeted differentiation of human stem cells toward pancreatic β-cells fail to deliver sufficiently mature cells with functional properties comparable to human islet β-cells. We aimed to assess whether Wnt-modulation could promote the final protocol stages of…
Chakravarthy et al. dissect the mechanisms maintaining α cell identity and reveal that simultaneous inactivation of the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 and the transcription factor Arx in adult mice drives the conversion of α- to β-like cells. In human T1D islets, glucagon+ cells lose DNMT1 and ARX expression and express β cell markers.
Here, we discuss the latest findings on pancreas and islet cell plasticity upon physiological, pathological and experimental conditions of stress. Understanding the mechanisms involved in cell reprogramming will allow the development of new strategies for the treatment of diabetes, by exploiting the intrinsic regeneration capacity of the pancreas.
The prevalence of diabetes will rise from 2.8% of the total world population in 2000 to 4.4% in 2030. The two prevailing forms of diabetes, named Type 1 and Type 2 (T1D and T2D), are chronic and often lead to…
If you want to read about our research featured in an article published on the News of University of Bergen, please click on the following link: Studying single-gene disorders to cure diabetes
The Norwegian Research Council announced on 7th of December the new list of awardees. We got new funding from FRIPRO for another independent Young Research Talent project: “Characterizing and modulating the insulin-producing beta-cell fate in monogenic diabetes by using novel…