Alumni News: Wheeler Lab Alumnus Maps Gene Function in Pancreas Cells

The University of Alberta’s Professor Patrick MacDonald, alumnus of Professor Michael Wheeler's lab, has mapped the function and gene expression of individual insulin-producing cells within the human pancreas. 

"'It turns out that not all insulin-producing cells are the same,' MacDonald said. 'There’s a lot of variability in gene expression, and we’ve been able to show that this variability extends to the function of these cells.'"

"...the approach will help in understanding how patient genetics contribute to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The beta cell gene maps that MacDonald and his group are generating may also hold clues as to why some insulin-producing cells survive the autoimmune attack that causes Type 1 diabetes. "

Read the full article here. Congratulations to Professor MacDonald and team!

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