Regenerating insulin cells by using new designer biologics to fine-tune neural signals

Project Code

MRCPHS26Ex Yang

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Population Health Science

Project Summary Download

Summary

A hallmark of type 1 diabetes is elevated blood glucose levels caused by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta-cells. The existence of remnant beta-cells in patients with type 1 diabetes suggests that we could harness these cells to reverse the disease. This treatment would require strategies to expand the residual beta-cell pool, improve beta-cell functionality, and cloak beta-cells from further autoimmune attack. In this project we will explore the impact of pancreas innervation on beta-cell regeneration and the underlying mechanisms by designing new biologics with generative AI tools and using them to fine-tune the kinetics of endogenous galanin neuropeptide signalling.

Lead Supervisor

Dr Yu Hsuan Carol Yang

Lead Supervisor Email

Y.C.Yang@exeter.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Exeter