ESPE Abstracts

Background: Using genetic lineage tracing in the mouse pituitary, we previously revealed that SOX2 positive cells can act as stem cells in vivo and contribute to all hormone-secreting cell types during postnatal life. However, SOX2-expressing stem cells are not the sole source of new endocrine cells, instead they complement contribution from more committed cell types during organ homeostasis.Objective and hypotheses: We seek to determine key sig...

The ability to differentiate human embryonal stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) into virtually any cell type has enabled the creation of cellular models of diseases for which human cells are not readily accessible. Using these strategies, we have examined the molecular pathogenesis of monogenic forms of diabetes such as Wolfram’s syndrome and various MODYs using stem cell-derived insulin producing cells created from fibroblasts of patients with t...

Background: The arrangement of beta cells within islets of Langerhans produces a gain-of-function in insulin release through the generation of rhythmic activity patterns. A privileged role for individual beta cells in orchestrating these responses has long-been suspected, but not directly examined.Objective and hypotheses: Identify and characterize a rare subpopulation of beta cells tasked with pacemaking insulin release.Method: Op...