Application of optogenetic techniques to study beta-cell function
Insulin is the only blood glucose reducing hormone and is produced by beta-cells in pancreatic islets. Malfunctioning beta-cells are the main cause for developing type 2 diabetes. For proper insulin release to occur, the cell depends on intracellular calcium signals that can be modulated by adrenenaline receptors. The role of the various adrenergic receptor subtypes in pancreatic beta-cells is poo
