The objectives of the group are to determine the genetic basis of beta cell mass, focusing in pancreas development, but also in processes that allow compensatory mechanisms in pathophysiological conditions (pregnancy, obesity, aging). To achieve this goal, we study type 2 diabetes genetic risk loci, and characterize the molecular mechanisms of their association to disease.

Our works involves the study of these genes and their effect on the proliferation of pancreatic progenitors. To achieve this goal, we are conducting gene loss-of-function approaches in pluripotent stem cells, that are later subjected to differentiation protocols to “mimic” human development. We know that adult beta cell mass is determined by the size and proliferation of the pancreas progenitor pool. Quantifying such proliferation, and the effect of genetic variants on this, is the best approach to survey an event that can explain the high heterogeneity in cell mass observed in adults, but this was out of reach until recently. The next objective of this approach is to determine the molecular association between diabetes risk and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. By the integration of GWAS, eQTL databases and “omics” from differentiation protocols. The long-term objectives will be to translate these findings into the clinic. Linking genetic information to pathophysiological events will bring us closer to the era of personalized medicine. More info: here.