Biochemical Approach for Acinar to Beta-cell Conversion

Presenter: Dr. Farzad Esni

Dr. Esni's lab studies the processes associated with pancreatic disease. A cure for diabetes should entail replacement of insulin-producing β-cells. There have been tremendous efforts throughout the years to generate β-cells from different sources, not only from embryonic stem cells, and adult stem or somatic cells, but also from non-β-cells residing in the pancreas. One such cell type is the amylase-producing pancreatic acinar cell. In this talk, Dr. Esni will present data showing that both genetic as well as pharmacological inactivation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) converts pancreatic acinar cells into insulin-producing cells in vivo. The acinar-derived insulin-producing cells invade the preexisting islets and are able to restore normoglycemia in diabetic mice.