Investigating Sex Differences in Beta Cell Calcium Handling

Diabetes is a disease affecting around 10% of the population which is caused by an inability to regulate blood glucose levels. Sex differences exist in diabetes; men have increased
incidence of type 2 diabetes compared to pre- menopausal women. Blood glucose levels are normally tightly controlled by insulin release from beta cells in the pancreas, a process which involves calcium signaling. Dysregulated calcium signaling in these cells disrupts insulin release and has been associated with diabetes. Considering the sex differences in diabetes and findings that other tissues show sex differences in calcium handling, we want to investigate whether sex differences exist in calcium handling in beta cells. To do this, we plan to investigate calcium signaling in two of the main calcium storage compartments in beta cells isolated from non-diabetic and diabetic male and female mice using calcium imaging
technology.

Faculty Supervisor:

James Johnson

Student:

Partner:

King's College London

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: