Real-time analysis of fatty acids in the pancreas
Subcellular disposition of fatty acids in beta cells revealed by non-linear microscopy: insights into mechanisms of pancreatic beta cell lipotoxicity
- Professor Noel Morgan of Peninsula Medical School
- £144,770; Three-year project grant
- October 2012 – October 2015
Background to project
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with raised levels of molecules called ‘free fatty acids’ in the bloodstream. Unsaturated free fatty acids are beneficial but saturated free fatty acids damage the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. This seems to occur when the fatty acids enter and are routed to specific parts of each beta cell, generating a stress response. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control these processes, because they are difficult to study in real time.
Project aims
With a new grant from Diabetes UK, Professor Noel Morgan will use state-of-the-art microscope techniques to monitor in real time the uptake and handling of free fatty acids in beta cells grown in the lab. He hopes to improve our understanding of how free fatty acids enter the beta cells, what factors influence their routes of transport once inside and why some are relatively toxic whereas others are protective.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
The researchers anticipate that this project will provide valuable insights into the uptake and routing of free fatty acids by beta cells. Accordingly, it could help researchers to identify new therapies to minimise the destruction of beta cells in Type 2 diabetes, which could benefit people with Type 2 in the long term.