Our research: Towards in vivo regeneration of beta-cells as a future therapy for T1D

To advance our knowledge on β-cell regeneration, our strategy involves four research arms:

• Intra-islet cooperation and coordination: we apply in vivo imaging and optogenetics to characterize β-cell function in the living animal under homeostasis and in models of diabetes.  We have identified a critical subpopulation of β-cells, called leader cells, which guide the response of the rest of β-cells to glucose.   We are exploring the role of leader cells in diabetes progression and islet dysfunction.
• Regeneration and cell plasticity: we are establishing an atlas of the cellular sources and pathways that regulate the regeneration of β-cells in vivo trough cell conversion.   Our goal is to define the molecular principles and cell-signaling interactions that coordinate the plasticity of cells in the pancreas. 
• Immune cell interactions: we are exploring the role of different immune cell types in the control of beta-cell renewal and regeneration.  To this end, we have also established genetic models to visualize immune cell interactions in the pancreas.
• β-cell protection from stress: we are discovering pharmacological means to protect the β-cell from dysfunction in new models of diabetes followed by validation in human β-cells.  To this end, we have established models that emulate the β-cells stress that takes place in diabetes.