Professor Małgorzata Borowiak, PhD, from the Department of Gene Expression (AMU Faculty of Biology), has been conducting research related to liver and pancreas regeneration for years. Currently, a project is being implemented at Adam Mickiewicz University, under the supervision of Professor Borowiak.
The research aims at gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of insulin maturation. It is a new hope in developing effective therapies for diabetics.
The pancreas plays a crucial role in the digestion and regulation of blood glucose levels. Malfunctions in its function lead to severe diseases, including diabetes, which already affects more than 420 million people worldwide.
The research team led by Prof Borowiak focuses on understanding the mechanisms of insulin maturation and secretion by beta cells. The study is significant to develop an understanding of how active insulin is formed, along with how the abnormal folding of the protein reduces its secretion and beta cell death, ultimately resulting in diabetes.
The research uses techniques of advanced biochemistry, structural biology, and human pancreatic stem cell differentiation combined with gene editing. The project is entitled 'Understanding the Mechanisms Regulating Insulin Maturation as a Basis for Cell and Gene Therapy for People with Diabetes' and is funded by the National Science Centre.