Development of new approaches to promote proliferation of insulin producing pancreatic ?-cells in diabetic patients

The loss of insulin producing ?-cells in the pancreatic islets (clusters of cells containing ?-cells) contributes to elevated blood glucose levels, which is a characteristic of diabetes. Development of therapeutic approaches that focus on prevention of ?-cell loss or promoting ?-cell proliferation is therefore of great importance. Studies performed in this project to-date (first internship period: Aug – Nov 2015) have shown that five of the tested purified natural compounds provided by Blue-O Medicals Inc. promote ?-cell proliferation. This renewal project aims to investigate the mechanism(s) of the proliferative effects of the effective compounds and test if these effects are ?-cell specific. We will also examine the potential effects of these compounds on other islet cells, mainly ?-cells which also release a hormone that contributes to blood glucose regulation. Findings from this project will lead to further characterization of these compounds and development of compound structures that may be used as a new therapeutic agent to maintain the number of ?-cells in diabetic patients needed to regulate their blood glucose levels within a normal range.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lucy Marzban

Student:

Partner:

Blue-O Medical Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: