Confocal immunofluorescence images of islets with insulin (green), and DAPI (blue) adapted from Banerjee et al. Diabetes 2016
Model Integrating pathways involved in gestational beta-cell proliferation (adapted from Banerjee Annals of NYAS 2018
Our research aims to expand the understanding of how hormones regulate pancreatic islets in health and disease.
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Currently, a major focus of the lab is to define the normal adaptations of islets, particularly insulin-producing beta-cells, to the metabolic stress of pregnancy, and to determine how defective adaptation contributes to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
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We anticipate that elucidating physiologic mechanisms of gestational beta-cell adaptation will identify novel therapeutic strategies to expand functional beta-cell mass which would help in the treatment of all types of diabetes.
Important Recent Lab News and events:
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June 2020:
KaLia Burnette is awarded a spot on the UAB CMDB T32 training grant. Congrats!
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April 2020:
Dr. Banerjee is awarded a R01 grant from the NIDDK to study
"Pregnancy-specific mechanisms regulating beta-cell proliferation and mass"
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