Diabetes Research (unibad)

The Diabetes Research Unit is composed of three research groups and their research is focused on different aspects related to type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

https://diabetes.umh.es/ 

We work to understand how chemical pollutants influence glucose homeostasis. Our ultimate goal is to translate this knowledge into actions to decrease the prevalence of diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

https://isletcellsignal.umh.es/ 

The Diabesity and Islet Research Lab is committed to uncovering the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus and its significance in the later development of type 2 diabetes, with particular emphasis on obesity as risk factor. We are also interested in better understanding the role of metabolism-disrupting chemicals in the occurrence of metabolic disorders. Our studies are mainly focused on the pancreatic beta and alpha-cells, but also in other tissues involved in glucose homeostasis. The ultimate goal is to determine new molecular targets and contribute to develop therapeutic and prevention strategies.

https://dialab.umh.es/

The main interest of this group is understanding pancreatic islet function and survival in health and diabetes. The goal is to comprehend the molecular differences between alpha and beta cells that allow the former to survive during diabetes development. Understanding these differences may allow the design of strategies to protect beta cells and slow down the development of the disease. In addition, this research team is interested in identifying and testing chemicals that, by interacting with proteins involved in different signaling pathways (e.g., type I interferon pathway), can promote the survival of human pancreatic beta cells. These drugs would be a promising adjuvant therapy in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

https://isletbiologylab.umh.es/ 

Other collaborators of the group:

 Reinaldo Sousa Dos Santos (FISABIO). ORCID: 0000-0002-3219-4730.