BME PhD Preliminary Exam Reminder for Emma Vanderlaan (S. Harbin, advisor)

Everyone is invited to the public presentation beginning at 2:00 pm.

Title: Advanced 3D Microphysiological System for Rapid Evaluation of Dynamic Pancreatic Beta Cell Function

Date: November 11, 2021

Time: 2:00 pm

Location: Zoom

https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/97164630059?pwd=cWVOU0tITGNmSERjVlpwbkVKaGgwUT09

Meeting ID: 971 6463 0059

Passcode: 521080

Thesis Committee:

Dr. Sherry Harbin (advisor)

Dr. Carmella Evans-Molina (clinical co-advisor)

Dr. Hyowon Lee

Dr. Adrian Buganza Tepole

Dr. Luis Solorio

Abstract:

Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for regulating blood sugar levels through glucose-sensitive insulin release. Without this important function, blood glucose becomes elevated, giving rise to the metabolic disorder diabetes. Therefore, it is unsurprising that β-cells are the focus of significant basic and translational research, including studies evaluating their potential as a therapeutic cell population. Unfortunately, measurement of β-cell function in the laboratory involves multi-step glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assays, followed by separate quantification of insulin by time-consuming and costly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). This often precludes researchers from performing dynamic GSIS measurements, which better represent β-cell physiology but are even more labor-intensive. Experimental microfluidic devices aim to reduce the burden of these dynamic measurements, however ELISAs are still required to process the many samples generated. Thus, there is a critical need for an easy-to-use, rapid, and low-cost alternative method of measuring insulin secretion in real-time. Additionally, most GSIS platforms keep β-cells in suspension, despite the importance of extracellular matrix mechanosignaling for their survival and function. To address this need, we propose to develop and validate an advanced microphysiological system that supports rapid functional assessment of β-cells. The proposed device will restore β-cells to a more physiological microenvironment through encapsulation in a fibrillar collagen scaffold and will integrate a custom electrochemical sensor to directly quantify insulin secretion. If successful, this system would provide a rapid and inexpensive option for performing dynamic GSIS measurements, with potential to accelerate preclinical studies and bring novel therapies to patients with diabetes.