The scarcity of functional insulin-secreting β cells in the pancreas is a common denominator in all forms of diabetes. Understanding the processes enhancing the number of functional insulin-producing cells will provide clues to design effective therapies for individuals with diabetes.
Several organ systems cross-talk with the pancreatic islet cells to maintain whole-body glucose homeostasis—particularly in the settings of pre-diabetes and insulin resistance. However, the nature and the identity of the molecules mediating this inter-organ metabolic communication remain to be determined. Our laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach to identify local, systemic and neuronal signals regulating the number and the function of pancreatic islet insulin-producing β cells in mouse and human models of obesity and diabetes.
Program Faculty
- Abdelfattah El Ouaamari
- Assistant Professor
- Department: Department of Medicine
- Program(s): Biochemistry Graduate Program
- Phone: 1.7322358460
- Email: abdelfattah.elouaamari@rutgers.edu
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- The Child Health Institute of NJ
- 89 French Street
- New Brunswick, NJ 08901
- Key Words: Organ Crosstalk, Energy Homeostasis, Pancreas, Insulin-Producing β Cells, Diabetes
- Lab Site URL