Islet Facility
The human pancreas biobank at IDM comprises a unique collection of pancreatic adipose tissue specimens from metabolically profiled living donors, both non-diabetic and with type 2 diabetes. Utilizing this valuable resource, we characterize the functional properties of pancreatic adipocytes, and investigate how pancreatic adipocytes influence beta cell function, particularly insulin secretion.
To explore the crosstalk between pancreatic islets and adipocytes, we developed an innovative in vitro model of human primary pancreatic adipose organoids that retain donor-specific metabolic traits. In collaboration with the University Hospital Tübingen’s Department of Surgery, we are expanding the biobank to include matched subcutaneous and visceral fat samples from the same donors, enabling controlled intra-individual comparisons.
Leveraging our “fatty pancreas-on-a-chip” platform, we aim to uncover cellular and molecular pathways through which adipocytes from distinct fat depots affect beta cell physiology and identify key mediators driving these inter-tissue interactions.
Our overarching goal is to elucidate fat depot-specific mechanisms that impact islet function and drive diabetes pathogenesis, ultimately informing new therapeutic strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment.
The human pancreas biobank at IDM comprises a unique collection of pancreatic adipose tissue specimens from metabolically profiled living donors, both non-diabetic and with type 2 diabetes. Utilizing this valuable resource, we characterize the functional properties of pancreatic adipocytes, and investigate how pancreatic adipocytes influence beta cell function, particularly insulin secretion.
To explore the crosstalk between pancreatic islets and adipocytes, we developed an innovative in vitro model of human primary pancreatic adipose organoids that retain donor-specific metabolic traits. In collaboration with the University Hospital Tübingen’s Department of Surgery, we are expanding the biobank to include matched subcutaneous and visceral fat samples from the same donors, enabling controlled intra-individual comparisons.
Leveraging our “fatty pancreas-on-a-chip” platform, we aim to uncover cellular and molecular pathways through which adipocytes from distinct fat depots affect beta cell physiology and identify key mediators driving these inter-tissue interactions.
Our overarching goal is to elucidate fat depot-specific mechanisms that impact islet function and drive diabetes pathogenesis, ultimately informing new therapeutic strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Primary Investigators
