Warwick
Dr Paul Squires
University of Warwick
£79,885 Three-year Equipment Grant
Atomic force microscopy single-cell force spectroscopy: determining the functional role of cell-cell adhesion and membrane dynamics in diabetes.
January 2013 - January 2016
Project Summary
New specialised equipment will add value to existing Diabetes UK research projects, by enabling Dr Paul Squires to measure the tiny forces that hold cells together in the islets and the kidney and study the impact of glucose upon them.
Background to Project
In order to function appropriately and efficiently, individual cells of the body stick to each other and synchronise their activity. In Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, several different tissue types lose this ability, with a profound effect on cell-cell communication and tissue function. For example, insulin-producing islet cells that become separated from each other are less responsive to glucose and less efficient at releasing insulin than the same number of cells coupled together. Specialised proteins help to increase the strength of cell-cell interactions and act as key centres of organisation for cell signalling.
Project aims
With support from Diabetes UK, Dr Paul Squires at the University of Warwick will purchase specialised equipment to study the tiny forces that hold different kinds of human cell together. Using nanotechnology (specifically Atomic Force Microscopy and Single Cell Force Spectroscopy) the equipment will measure the influence of glucose on subtle changes to cell-cell interactions in both the islets and the kidneys, which precede the more significant tissue changes that often result from diabetes. They will also study interactions between islet cells and stem cells.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
The ability of the equipment to assess very small changes in cell structure and coupling could help the researchers to discover mechanisms that could be treated with new diabetes drugs. In addition, studies of the interactions between islet cells and stem cells could help to improve techniques for islet transplantation therapy. This research will add value to several existing Diabetes UK research projects and the researchers believe that it could have a direct impact on those living with diabetes within 5-10 years.